William Saffold pleads guilty to violent carjacking ring that targeted Uber and Lyft drivers
MINNEAPOLIS -- A 20-year-old Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty for his role in a violent carjacking ring targeting rideshare drivers and for pointing a gun at an FBI agent, federal officials announced Thursday.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota, William Saffold and his co-conspirators would target Lyft and Uber drivers, luring the victims to particular locations. Once the victim arrived, Saffold and others would brandish firearms and force the victim to give them their phones, along with the password.
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"The conspiracy members then transferred money, via Cash App or other applications, from the accounts of the victim-drivers to the accounts of members of the conspiracy," the attorney's office said. "To intimidate and force compliance, members of the conspiracy struck, pistol whipped, and threatened to kill the victim-drivers."
After the funds were transferred, the victim's vehicle would be taken at gunpoint.
Saffold also pulled a weapon on an FBI agent who was attempting to execute an arrest warrant. As the agent was approaching, he drew a pistol, pointed it at the agent and fled on foot.
Saffold pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to use, carry, and brandish firearms during and in relation to crimes of violence and one count of assault on a federal officer.
The sentencing will be scheduled at a later time.
Speaking with rideshare carjacking victims
WCCO's Reg Chapman spoke with drivers about their safety. Uber and Lyft drivers we spoke with say the confession is good - but not good enough.
"No, I am not feeling safe. I fear for my life all the time," said Abdullahi Abdi.
Adbullahi Abdi is one of several Uber drivers who shared their stories of being attacked, robbed and beaten to lawmakers at the State Capitol last week. Abdi wore a bloodied shirt at the news conference.
"He hit me with a metal that he was holding on the head. This is the result of the work that I do and this is what I'm wearing right now to show the pain and the things that are happening," said Abdi.
Fartun Nuh just stopped driving Uber after a group of young people attempted to hurt her as she dropped off a rider in broad daylight.
"When they realized that the car was locked they tried to break the windows with their fists ... I didn't know what to do, "said Fartun Nuh.
"Uber and Lyft drivers have many, many issues since we have started this organization about four months ago," said Eid Ali.
Eid Ali says the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers association was born out of concerns over safety, better pay and transparency from employers.
Rallies at the state capital are helping get the attention they need.
"We were invisible and now it looks like we are becoming visible and some of these elected officials are paying attention to what we are saying," said Ali.
Ali says drivers are thankful for the efforts of police and federal partners, but hope they continue to put pressure on those who target them.
Law enforcement believes convictions by the U.S. Attorney's Office deter people from breaking the law.
