MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An Uber driver was arrested on charges of aggravated kidnapping and intentionally evading arrest after driving away during a traffic stop while he had a passenger in the car.
Cordarius Johnson was booked into the Shelby County Jail, and according to court records, pleaded guilty to evading arrest a day after his arrest, receiving no jail time. Court records show he was also charged with aggravated kidnapping and evading arrest in a vehicle, but those charges were dismissed.
We've reached out to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office for clarification as to why these charges were dismissed and how he was able to plead guilty a day after his arrest, but we've yet to receive a reply.
According to the affidavit, a man got into an Uber around 4 a.m. on February 28 in the area of Farm Rd. and Walnut Grove heading to Midtown. During the trip, the driver, Johnson, drove through a red light, which led police to do a traffic stop. The passenger told officers he was getting an Uber ride, but as the officers walked back to the patrol car, Johnson drove off into oncoming traffic, ignoring traffic lights.
The passenger then asked Johnson to stop the car so he can get out of the car, but he didn't stop, after which the passenger jumped out of the car once it started to slow down.
On March 4, the passenger went to Tillman Station where he identified Johnson from a six-man lineup. Johnson is also the name and picture registered in the Uber account.
On March 13, he was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days, but got that sentenced suspended, instead having probation for that same period of time.
