Update: Former Lyft driver found guilty of sexual assault sentenced to 10 years in prison
Update posted Jan 23
–District Attorney Dan Dow announced this week that 52-year-old Jason Lamont Fenwick was sentenced to ten years in state prison for the following four crimes: assault with the intent to commit sexual assault, oral copulation of an intoxicated victim, sexual penetration of an intoxicated victim, and surreptitious photographing of the sexual assault victim.
These crimes occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2018 after the defendant drove the victim to her residence in Nipomo. At the time he committed these crimes, Fenwick was working as a Lyft driver when he picked up the victim in Arroyo Grande and drove her to her residence in Nipomo. The evidence established that Fenwick sexually assaulted the victim while she was prevented from resisting due to her level of intoxication and periods of unconsciousness.
“We are optimistic that this significant prison sentence will not only deter this type of horrific conduct, but also encourage crime victims to report their victimization with confidence that the criminal justice system will hold their offender accountable,” said Deputy District Attorney Christopher White who prosecuted the case. “This young woman is a survivor who demonstrated tremendous courage by reporting the crime and testifying in court which was absolutely necessary in order to hold the defendant responsible. We also thank the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau and the District Attorney staff who worked tirelessly to see that justice was done.”
Fenwick was sentenced to ten years in state prison by the Honorable Matthew Guerrero, Judge of the Superior Court.
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Christopher White.
51-year-old Jason Lamont Fenwick of Lompoc.
Update: Former Lyft driver found guilty of sexual assault
–District Attorney Dan Dow announced Friday that a San Luis Obispo County jury found Jason Lamont Fenwick guilty of the following four crimes: assault with the intent to commit sexual assault, oral copulation of an intoxicated victim, sexual penetration of an intoxicated victim, and surreptitious photographing of the sexual assault victim. The jury found Fenwick not guilty of burglary with the intent to commit sexual assault.
These crimes occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on November 4, 2018 after the defendant drove the victim to her residence in Nipomo. At the time he committed these crimes, Fenwick was working as a Lyft driver when he picked up the victim in Arroyo Grande and drove her to her residence in Nipomo. The evidence established that Fenwick sexually assaulted the victim while she was prevented from resisting due to her level of intoxication and periods of unconsciousness.
“We thank the jury for their efforts in this difficult and emotional case,” said Deputy District Attorney Christopher White who prosecuted the case. “This young woman is a survivor who demonstrated tremendous courage by reporting the crime and testifying in court which was absolutely necessary in order to hold the defendant accountable. We also thank the Sheriff’s Detective Bureau and District Attorney staff who worked tirelessly to see that justice was done.”
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 8 of the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, the Honorable Judge Matthew Guerrero presiding. Mr. Fenwick faces a maximum term of ten years in state prison for his convictions.
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Christopher White.
A copy of the charging document can be found here.
Update posted Nov. 15
Update: Sexual assault charges filed against Lyft driver
–The District Attorney has filed felony charges against Jason Lamont Fenwick for a sexual assault, alleged to have taken place in Nipomo shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2018.
At the time of the offense, Fenwick was working as a Lyft driver when he picked up the victim in Arroyo Grande and drove her to her residence in Nipomo. It is alleged that Fenwick sexually assaulted the victim while she was unconscious. Fenwick has been charged with four felony counts including violating Penal Code sections: Assault with the intent to commit various sex acts during a residential burglary, unlawful oral copulation of an intoxicated individual, unlawful sexual penetration by a foreign object of an intoxicated individual, first degree residential burglary, and one misdemeanor violation of unlawful use of a concealed recording device.
The investigation is ongoing and no additional information can be released at this time.
Original story posted Nov. 9
–Detectives with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Sexual Assault Unit responded to a report of a sexual assault which had occurred at a residence in Nipomo early Sunday morning.
The victim in this case says she was transported to her residence in Nipomo by a Lyft driver after requesting their services when she became too intoxicated to drive home. Because of the victim’s level of intoxication, the Lyft driver helped the victim inside the home where she became unconscious and the driver proceeded to sexually assault her. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted and warrants were issued to identify the driver and to gather additional evidence.
The driver was identified as 51-year-old Jason Lamont Fenwick of Lompoc. He was arrested on Thursday for several charges including oral copulation with an intoxicated victim, sexual penetration with a foreign object with an intoxicated victim, and burglary.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the assistance of the public to identify any other possible victims due to Fenwick being a Lyft driver for more than a year, working in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. If anyone has information on this case or other potential victims, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.
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