Charges Certified Against Cab Driver
Charges Certified Against Cab Driver Save Email Print
Harrisonburg, Va.
Posted: 1:46 PM Dec 2, 2008
Last Updated: 2:09 PM Dec 3, 2008
Reporter: Haley Harrison
Email Address: hharrison@whsv.com

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The case against a cab driver accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled passenger is moving forward.

Charges of aggravated sexual battery and sexual penetration by force were certified to a grand jury Tuesday against Ted Nelson Smith.

Witness testimony in court reveals Smith was one of Yellow Cab drivers hired by the victim's family to take the victim to and from an adult day care. The alleged incident happened in late August during a ride home.

Smith had been driving the victim for a year before the alleged incident. The family's counselor, Connie Richardson, says sexual assault often happens between the victim and someone they know.

"Being able to convince the victim that it's their secret, that there's nothing wrong with what's happening. So generally, it's about creating trust," says Richardson.

The alleged victim is a 34-year-old woman who suffers from Down Syndrome.

Smith's attorney spoke Tuesday and said the woman started and encouraged the encounter.

Smith remains in the Rockingham County Jail. His last day at Yellow Cab was August 29, the same day the woman's mother filed a complaint.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Susan Location: Waynesboro on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:38 PM
I just learned about read and posting remarks I cant believe how many people post on a subject they know nothing about such as reporting the facts to the boss I would beg anyone wanting to post that they truely know what they are talking about

Posted by: MP Location: Staunton on Dec 3, 2008 at 04:54 PM
This is deplorable conduct. I don't care if the victim initiated the incident-it was totally uncalled for that this man took advantage of a disabled human being like this. We can't trust our children or our disabled to anyone anymore because of these sickening, perverted, self-centered CRIMINALS. Anyone with an ounce of common sense and decency would not have fallen into this and he should have reported the incident to his boss immediately, instead of acting on his own criminal impulses!

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