DENHAM SPRINGS, January 26, 2024 – A man bonded out of jail on charges related to attempted human trafficking of a minor is reportedly still working as a rideshare driver, raising serious safety concerns for passengers.
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The case highlights a gap in regulations regarding background checks and restrictions for individuals awaiting trial on violent offenses.
- Leonard Crawford, 56, was arrested in November following a sting operation in Livingston Parish.
- He was released on a $150,000 bond and is accused of attempting to solicit sex from both an adult and a minor.
- Authorities say current regulations do not prevent Crawford from continuing to drive for a rideshare company.
- The District Attorney’s office is advocating for stricter conditions on bond for individuals facing similar charges.
Leonard Crawford, 56, was arrested in November during a Livingston Parish sting operation when he allegedly attempted to meet with two young women for the purpose of exchanging money for sexual acts. According to Assistant District Attorney Brad Cascio, Crawford believed he was arranging to pay both an adult woman and an underage girl. What safeguards are in place to protect potential passengers from individuals facing serious criminal accusations while awaiting trial? The answer, currently, is very few.
Details of the Arrest and Allegations
“He thought he was meeting two women — one of age, one underage — for the purpose of exchanging money for sex, and of course, when he arrived at the location, it was LPSO, and they made the arrest of the individual,” Cascio explained. “They had agreed to exchange money for sex with a juvenile, which falls under the human trafficking statute.”
Crawford posted a $150,000 bond and, according to information received by investigators, has resumed driving for Uber. Cascio expressed his discomfort with the situation, stating, “Even though he’s innocent until proven guilty, it makes me very uncomfortable to know that an individual who has bonded out on these types of charges is coming into contact with dozens, if not hundreds, of people on a regular basis. These individuals have no idea what’s going on with this man.”
Uber Receipts Confirm Recent Activity
Receipts obtained show Crawford, who maintains a five-star rating, completed a rideshare trip in mid-January. The exact date and time are being withheld to protect the identity of the individual who provided the information, who reportedly did not realize who their driver was until after the ride.
While Crawford is subject to standard bond conditions, such as remaining within the state, there are currently no restrictions preventing him from working as a rideshare driver. Cascio, who is running for district attorney, believes this should change.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
“I wish the state legislature would impose stricter special conditions on these types of offenses,” Cascio said. “If you go back a few years ago when Gwen’s Law was passed…there’s automatically a protective order put in place for an alleged victim of a domestic abuse battery, which I think is great because it protects that alleged victim, but if we’re willing to protect alleged victims of domestic abuse battery, we should be able to protect juveniles from alleged sexual offenders.”
Crawford did not respond to a request for comment Monday. Uber declined to disclose its policies regarding the vetting of drivers who have been arrested.
