Santa Rosa taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting passenger

The female passenger was intoxicated and on her way home from the casino near Rohnert Park.|
CLARK MASON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Santa Rosa taxi driver was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting an intoxicated female passenger he transported from the Graton Resort and Casino near Rohnert Park late last year.

Mehari Tekle, 42, of Santa Rosa is accused of assaulting the woman in his taxi cab on Dec. 18 as he was taking her home from the casino.

The CHP said the woman, whose age was not released, was intoxicated and unable to give consent.

Special CHP investigators were able to identify the assailant based on interviews, video evidence and DNA.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Tekle, which was carried out Tuesday morning in Santa Rosa. No information was given to indicate whether Tekle was an employee of a taxi service or an independent operator.

He was booked into Sonoma County Jail on a charge of sexual penetration. Bail was set at $100,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned in Sonoma County Court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

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