Uber driver back in court after 29 new sex charges filed

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A former Uber driver who posted $100,000 bond after he allegedly raped an El Cajon woman was back in court May 26 after prosecutors filed 19 new sex charges involving four additional victims.

John David Sanchez, 52, pleaded not guilty to the new charges that include rape and oral copulation of an unconscious person, lewd act upon a child, trying to dissuade a witness from testifying, furnishing a tranquilizer to a minor, and making child pornography.

A former Uber driver who posted $100,000 bond after he allegedly raped an El Cajon woman was back in court May 26 after prosecutors filed 19 new sex charges involving four additional victims.

John David Sanchez, 52, pleaded not guilty to the new charges that include rape and oral copulation of an unconscious person, lewd act upon a child, trying to dissuade a witness from testifying, furnishing a tranquilizer to a minor, and making child pornography.

El Cajon Superior Court Judge Daniel Goldstein set bail at $1 million and scheduled a preliminary hearing for June 21. Sanchez remains in jail.

El Cajon Police re-arrested Sanchez May 24 after further investigation found more alleged victims. Deputy District Attorney Kerry Conway said she couldn’t yet discuss how the four victims came in contact with Sanchez, but one case dates back to 2011 before he worked for Uber.

Conway said police found videotapes and electronic files that depict some of the new charges. She praised El Cajon Police’s “very thorough investigation.”

El Cajon dentist pleads guilty to 13 molestation charges

Luis Alfonso Ramos, of El Cajon, pleaded guilty May 25 to 13 sex charges involving female patients at a dental office where patients were molested while under anesthesia.

Ramos, a dental assistant, pleaded guilty before San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth, who set sentencing for Aug. 26. He admitted committing sexual battery, and digital penetration.

Thirteen victims were scheduled to testify against Ramos, 36, at a preliminary hearing May 25, but he decided to plead guilty instead.

Court records show that Ramos has agreed to accept a 15-year prison term. He was initially arrested Feb. 4, and posted $100,000 bond after being charged with molesting one patient.

The evidence came from a security camera in the North Park dental office, which Ramos knew nothing about. After police reviewed all the tapes, he was charged with molesting 12 other women and he was re-arrested in March. He remains in jail on $1 million bail.

Preliminary hearing set for suspected carjacker

A June 2 preliminary hearing was set for a suspected carjacker who allegedly held a hypodermic needle with HIV to the neck of a 17-year-old boy in La Mesa.

Thomas Johnson, 36, is also charged with kidnapping Branik Brown and forcing him to drive Johnson around on March 28 for at least 30 minutes.

Brown said Johnson approached him at a taco shop in La Mesa. Brown told KGTV (Channel 10) the man produced a needle and claimed it held HIV.

 “You’re going to do me a favor or I’ll stab you with AIDS,” Johnson reportedly said to the victim.

Brown drove Johnson around while he held several syringes inches from his neck. Brown punched Johnson in the jaw and jumped out of his truck. He called police while Johnson drove off in his truck, which was later wrecked.

Johnson is also charged with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, making a criminal threat, auto theft, evading officers with reckless driving and grand theft. Johnson remains on $2 million bail and has pleaded not guilty in El Cajon Superior Court.