Cab driver accused in assault arraigned on misdemeanors
A 33-year-old Ypsilanti man faces two misdemeanor assault and battery charges for allegedly kissing a 23-year-old Ann Arbor woman after driving her home.
Mohamed Ahamok, who leased a minivan from Blue Cab, was arraigned in the 15th District Court by District Court Judge Elizabeth Pollard Hines Wednesday afternoon. The misdemeanor counts carry a maximum sentence of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Ahamok left court with a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. He’ll return for a pretrial hearing at 9 a.m. Feb. 25.
After the hearing, Ahamok said the incident was a misunderstanding and he did not have any malicious intent toward the woman. He said he picked the woman up and gave her a ride home, making conversation during the trip. He said he gave the woman a friendly “good bye kiss.”
“There was no bad intention,” he said. “I did it in a friendly spirit.”
Ahamok denied forcing the woman to kiss him or trying to touch her in an inappropriate way.
More coverage
Read more content on the investigation
- Ann Arbor might crack down on unlicensed taxicabs after reported student rape
- Student tells police taxi driver sexually assaulted her near University of Michigan campus
- Ann Arbor police continue to investigate reported rape of U-M student
- Police: Another assault involving cab driver reported
- Blue Cab president: Driver denies sexual assault allegations, will not drive cab during investigation
- Ann Arbor police investigating 3 sexual assaults by taxi drivers
The incident took place early Sunday morning in the 1500 block of Pine Valley Road. Ahamok picked the woman up from the 1200 block of South University Avenue in Ann Arbor.
It was the third alleged sexual assault by a taxi cab driver on a female patron since Jan. 23, according to police. The other alleged incidents reportedly occurred on Jan. 23 and Feb. 3.
Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes released information on those two incidents Wednesday afternoon. The suspect descriptions in each incident are vague, but Pfannes said police are investigating whether the alleged sexual assaults are related.
Ahamok stood mute to the charges Wednesday afternoon and Hines appointed Model Cities Legal Services to represent him. Ahamok’s primary language is French and an interpreter will be appointed for his pretrial on Feb. 25.
Ahamok is not allowed to drive his cab while the case is pending, according to Blue Cab president John Etter.
Ann Arbor police Detective Michael Dortch recommended the personal recognizance bond for Ahamok.
“Mr. Ahamok has been very cooperative throughout the investigation,” Dortch told Hines. “I’m confident he will show up for court.”
According to his bond, Ahamok is not allowed to have contact with the victim in the case and he is not allowed to engage in any assaultive behavior. He said he has not tried to contact the woman since the incident and simply was trying to be friendly to a customer.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
diagbum
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:36 a.m.
We need more "friendly" spirit in Ann Arbor! Everybody should start giving out "friendly" kisses! Kisses from the guy at McDonald's in the morning! Kisses from the Bus driver! Kisses from everyone on the bus! Kisses from the bum with the crutch asking for spare change outside of the office! Kisses from the Waiter at lunch! Kisses from the bartender during happy hour! Kisses from the parking attendant! Kisses from the UPS dude! Kisses from the garbage man! Kisses from the dentist! (is that crossing the line?) Kisses from the traffic cop that ticketed me for failure to stop for a pedestrian in the X-walk! Who's with me?
Phew!
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 12:57 a.m.
nice sometimes young females feel exactly as if that is what is already going on...
John Hritz
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Personal recognizance means there was not a cash bail payment required for release. If Ahamok paid $10,000 to get out, that was a cash bond. If someone else (like a bondsman) guaranteed the $10,000, it was a surety bond.
ms 2013
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.
u better hope he dont leave the state and run
Joe_Citizen
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
Yes the French is a kissing culture. It's their way to say hello or good bye. Here it can be misunderstood to be a sexual misconduct and be placed on the sexual predictors list. The sexual predators list has become a joke itself. Once upon a time it was used to keep an eye on dangerous sexual predators, but now it is a joke. I know a 10 year old kid who sat on his friends head and fluctuated, the kids mom reported it to police and the kid was let go of all charges, but the feds still put him on the sexual predators list. This kid is like a nephew to me, because his father and mother went to school with me and we have been friend ever sense first grade. This is a travesty of justice to place a child who hasn't even started puberty or had any interest in sex. This kid is an above average student, and is a God fearing person who attends church and catechism classes twice a week. Yet he like this cab driver will be placed on the list whether or not a conviction comes out of it.
OliviaB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
This is just marginally related, not commenting on the particular child you're referencing, but I'll just generally point out that interest in/engagement with church or the catechism is no longer an effective argument for someone's interpersonal sexual appropriateness. (See: giant church child abuse cover-up)
hifromdiana
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:45 p.m.
Solitude, thank you for acknowledging that that this man's actions were wrong and criminal in nature. I use the term "survivor" to refer to everyone who experiences unwanted sexual contact, and I don't believe in establishing a hierarchy of sexual assault, in which some forms are worse than others. I understand your point that her life may not have been in danger, but in those situations it can often FEEL like it is. If she feels traumatized by what happened (and I of course don't know if she does, and I'm not trying to speak for her at all), she will need to survive the recovery process that accompanies trauma--which is long and difficult. Furthermore, we don't know exactly what happened in that cab, and it's very possible that the kiss was accompanied by more unwanted touching, threats, etc. I say all of this as a survivor of "true sexual violence", because I don't think it's helpful to make these kinds of distinctions. I think we should be focusing our energy on preventing all kinds of sexual assault (and all types of violence) by believing the people who report them, by punishing the perpetrators, and by questioning the culture of violence that creates them.
Joslyn at the U
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:44 p.m.
Diana do you suffer from PTSD? I only ask because I have post traumatic stress disorder as well
OliviaB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
I'm wondering, if we're riding the "it's how he says goodbye in his culture" train, if he kisses each passenger he has (or even each woman passenger, I'm not familiar with this custom), or just women ten years his junior. If he does kiss everyone, how has that gone over for him so far? Is this really the first time it was brought to his attention that passengers may be less than elated to be subjected to that? If not, is that "cultural custom" really what's going on here? Or is he (/are others) just trying to explain away his behavior?
Solitude
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.
Diana Parrish, I believe it is safe to assume the police to whom this was reported, and the prosecutor's ofc., know what happened in the cab, based on what the woman told them, and the article establishes the man was charged with an assaultive crime, not a sexually assaultive crime, leading a reasonable person to believe that the elements necessary to change him with a sexually assaultive crime were not present. You say you're not trying to speak for her, yet you feel free to publicly label her a "survivor" of "sexual contact." Unless he had intent of a sexual nature, how do you jump to the conclusion she was "sexually" assaulted, as opposed to just "assaulted"? Also, all crime victims are potential trauma patients. When you start calling them "survivors," then maybe you'll have a point.
hifromdiana
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:14 p.m.
Joe_Citizen, I'm very sorry that happened to you. In regards to your comment, I'm not saying that no one has ever falsely accused someone of assault. However, FBI statistics consistently report that only 2-8% of reported assaults are false. That number is extremely small, especially compared to false reporting for other crimes. Given the exhausting, demoralizing and painful process of reporting an assault (see these comments for an example) and going through a trial, a person has far more to lose than gain for reporting.
OliviaB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:03 p.m.
Joe, regarding what other crime could that be an excuse? (I was just being friendly and greeting her/saying goodbye! Sorry I stole your identity/punched you in the face/vandalized your building. It was a misunderstanding you see because I'm so friendly.) Just because people may do what he did in a positive, consensual, mutually appreciated way does NOT mean that's what this was. Also I'm sorry you experienced that.
Joe_Citizen
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
Wow, you don't believe in dew process of the law. There are plenty of people out there who make false reports of sexual assault, because of jealousy or what ever the reason. To give anyone that kind of power is down right crazy. I'm a survivor of severe childhood trauma from severe violent sexual assault, and multiple other violent abuses. I spent several years in a psych hospital because of it. I do not believe everything people say, because there are people who take full advantage of the power that can ruin someones life because of jealousy, and so on. I'm sorry to hear your pain, but do precess of law is there for a reason. The french culture does involve a kiss to welcome or say hello or good bye. he did say that he kissed her but meant only to say good bye. This is the way of the french culture and several other cultures.
buildergirl
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.
Where are all the commenters from yesterday bemoaning Blue Cab's harmed reputation and questioning the police report and behavior of the alleged victim? Perhaps eating crow? I'm glad to see A2PD taking this seriously and hope this guy learns it's not ok to paw at customers (per his own admission).
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 10:49 p.m.
You don't know that he "pawed at customers". Note that he is denying that aspect. So, you have to wait until the court makes a determination. He kissed someone goodbye whom he had a conversation with who apparently was sitting up front with him smoking a cigarette.
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 10:47 p.m.
I'm right here. Thanks.
Joslyn at the U
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:17 p.m.
So true ditto
Solitude
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:49 p.m.
Diana Parrish, ref. your response under cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq's post above, it's highly insulting to intelligent females everywhere, including me, and especially to victims of true sexual violence, to hear you call someone who was the object of an unwanted kiss a "survivor." I'm not in any way saying what this guy did was right or even non-criminal. But this woman's life was obviously never in any danger, and calling her a "survivor" is a slap in the face to women who have actually endured something difficult to "survive," like the recent Ann Arbor rape victim whose attacker was recently sentenced.
OliviaB
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6 p.m.
Lovaduck, see "legitimate rape" and how well that idea went over. Also you were NOT there - it is no one's place to just rewrite what happened and diminish how scary and disgusting it may have been to the person who experienced it with your imagination of some aloof romantic who was just trying to be nice or whatever. Pass. Also regarding what other crime could that be an excuse?! (I was just being friendly and greeting her/saying goodbye! Sorry I stole your identity/punched you in the face/vandalized your building. It was a misunderstanding you see because I'm so friendly.) Just because people may do what he did in a positive, consensual, mutually appreciated way does NOT mean that's what this was.
Lovaduck
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
I couldn't agree more. This trivializes legitimate victims of genuine sexual assault . A kiss, though offensive if unwanted, is just that---a kiss. It shouldn't have happened but it shouldn't be compared to rape!
CincoDeMayo
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
In the midst of investigations of taxi cab drivers for sexual assault, what kind of driver would give a fare *any* kind of kiss??
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:29 a.m.
Let's just hope this guy never gives George Bush a ride:
Joslyn at the U
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 10:49 a.m.
Hmmmmm so now my question becomes ................how long will city councilman and head of the taxicab board Steve Kunselman continue on this witch hunt for class B limo drivers when after he demonized respectable companies like Yellow Car and Michigan Green Cab it was discovered that it was one of his city of ann arbor licensed taxi drivers whom committed this unwanted act of hormonal indiscretion? Does his desired bid to run for mayor make it ok to do this while demonizing honest hard working men and women in the transportation industry? Does he think this is saving the fine citizens of ann arbor from the bad limo drivers? Seriously? This guy should spend more time on helping balance the ann arbor budget so we don't have to beg UofM for money to provide services.
Joslyn at the U
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 6:59 p.m.
Also as an afterthought I think councilman Kunselman owes the limousine transportation industry in Ann Arbor a most profoundly humble and PUBLIC apology on the front page of Ann Arbor .com since this is where he was so specifically quoted as well as in public during an open meeting of city council. I may not like Hieftje but at least he has the respect to not publicly and wrongfully demonize upstanding citizens who are just trying to run a business and service the public.
PineyWoodsGuy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:55 a.m.
Yep! As the Feast Day of Saint Valentine creeps in upon us, we are engaged in the Legal Question as to whether a Kiss is a Criminal Battery. History reminds us of Robert MacQueen, Lord Braxfield, Lord Justice of Scotland (1776-1799) who famously declaimed from his High Bench: "Hang an osculator when he's young, and he'll no osculate when he's auld."
Camp Comments
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 4:34 a.m.
He is charged with assault, and your headlieg says assault, and I think, "Hey, this is progress since the reporting last week on the psychologist charged with CSC." And then midway through the story you describe this as a third "sexual assault" involving a cab driver. But this defendant is not charged with CSC, just simple assault, and is released on bond. Are we to assume that AnnArbor.com is of the view that all unwanted kisses are sexual assaults? If so my Aunt Vivian has some explaining to do. I was eight, and they were pecks on the cheek, but now I see them for what they really were. Valentines, beware. Thanks for being consistent, I suppose.
Kyle Feldscher
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
Camp, I'm just going to direct you back to my comment on the previous story on the incident from yesterday afternoon. I've responded to your question about my usage of sexual assault vs. assault.
Jaime Magiera
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:35 a.m.
Well, the good news is that this is out in the open now. Details will be hashed out in court. An unwise choice in actions for sure, but on the surface doesn't appear to be related to anything more nefarious. The description of this driver and the accused assault from earlier in February aren't the same. The fact that Detective Dortch recommended bond seems to imply that there isn't a greater threat. I wonder if this couldn't have been handled outside the court system.
diagbum
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:32 a.m.
Seriously? A 33 year old man walked into a court and testified he was "Not guilty" under oath... That same man then proceeded to walk outside of the court and admitted his "Guilt" in an interview with reporters... He most have had the best public defender ever! It seems like Mr Ahamok let his hormones run amok...
diagbum
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:21 a.m.
Seriously Bob? If you and your wife wanted to buy a car from me at my car dealership and at some point during the test drive I put my hand on her thigh and gave her a "friendly" kiss you think that would be O.K.? Is it somehow inappropriate but NOT unlawful in your view point?
diagbum
Fri, Feb 15, 2013 : 3:14 a.m.
It sounds like a crime to me if the recipient of said kiss is making a criminal complaint!
Basic Bob
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.
He is "not guilty" by reason of it not being a crime.
PineyWoodsGuy
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:12 a.m.
Sorting it out: 1. Cab company contracts with driver who cannot speak English. 2. Francophone passes written Mich Driver License Test; issued Mich Driver License by Sec of State. Does SOS offer the test in the French language? Yep! I know: Spanish "Si," but French? "Oui?" 3. French men are rumored to be more "romantic" than American men; hey! All the Parisian cabbies kiss their fares! 4. @DBH posts his legal research demonstrates the Battery (touching) must be "forceful and violent." Question for the Jury: Was the kiss "forceful and violent"? 5. Consider the cost: Public Defender, French Translator, Jury Duty Pay = The Most Expensive Kiss in Ann Arbor History. A magazine article could be written on "The Day the Frenchman Drove to Ann Arbor." Any other suggestions for a magazine article title? (And you militant misandrist readers: "You must remember this. A kiss is just a kiss. On that you can rely. As time goes by." Billie Holiday, Casablanca. Comprenez-vous Cherie?).
hifromdiana
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:28 p.m.
It's impossible to take you seriously after you dropped the term "misandrist", but I can't let your offensive comment go unanswered. No person (regardless of gender) has the right to touch another person (regardless of gender) in a sexual or "romantic" way without their consent. Because he was a stranger to her, because she was alone in his car at night, because she was a customer--the idea that this was a romantic gesture is laughable and nothing but an attempt to explain away an assault.
DBH
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 3:08 a.m.
@PWG, you misread my post. It states (in part) "A battery is a forceful, violent, OR [capitalized for my emphasis] offensive touching of the person..." It need not be forceful AND violent, as you wrote. In fact, it need not be either. As I read it, simply being offensive touching appears adequate.
Basic Bob
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
You have my vote when you run for city attorney.
Goodneighbor
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
Kyle, could you find out for us just how someone "leases" a cab from a cab company? Are there some drivers who work as employees of the company and others who "lease"? How does a patron (or would be patron) know the difference? ...Should they ask? Thank you!
Towanda
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
Goodneighbor: All company taxi drivers are independent contractors and lease their cabs from the companies they drive for. Some companies may allow drivers to own their own vehicles and pay the company for dispatch services. All company drivers are expected to adhere to the policies of the company they drive for.
zanzerbar
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.
Call the cab company.
blinktwice
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
I wonder what would happen if employees kissed their customers without consent? Jail you'd think!
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:55 a.m.
I'm glad he didn't try to kiss me.
DBH
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
The attorneys and judge (and jury, if there should be one) might interpret the circumstances differently, but his admission that he kissed her certainly is not in his favor, in my opinion, regardless of his professed intention(s). From http://thelawyermichigan.com/assault-and-battery-michigan/ (I have neither the time nor the patience to search the State of Michigan penal code for the particulars): "All crimes are made up of elements, and like all criminal cases the prosecuting attorney must prove the elements of the crime against you beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one element cannot be proven you must be found not guilty. Here are the elements of Michigan misdemeanor Assault and Battery. First, the prosecutor must prove that you committed a battery on another person. A battery is a forceful, violent, or offensive touching of the person or something closely connected with the person of another. The touching by you must have been intended, that is, not accidental, and it must have been against another person's will. Second, that you intended either to commit a battery upon on another person or to make another person reasonably fear an immediate battery." I don't know if he will or will not be found guilty, but from this information it appears the prosecution has a strong case, given the defendant's admission.
An Arborigine
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 12:13 a.m.
cultural differences? I think not.
cornelius McDougenschniefferburgenstein jr. 3 esq.
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
hey kyle how bout the cab license photo?
Solitude
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
Diana Parrish, it's highly insulting to intelligent females everywhere, including me, and especially to victims of true sexual violence, to hear you call someone who was the object of an unwanted kiss as a "survivor." I'm not in any way saying what this guy did was right or even non-criminal. But this woman's life was obviously never in any danger, and calling her a "survivor" is a slap in the face to women who have actually endured something difficult to "survive," like the recent Ann Arbor rape victim whose attacker was recently sentenced.
hifromdiana
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
It is insulting to the survivor and the women of Ann Arbor to explain away assault as a "common way of saying hello and goodbye".
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 10:50 p.m.
I'm trying to do a quick Google search to find a database for this, do you have a link you might be able to share with me if you know of something specific?
Bear
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 10:43 p.m.
I don't believe a hack's license photo is accessible to the general public. I don't even think you could obtain his driver's license photo. But of what import is that? He hasn't even gone to court yet. In certain cultures kisses are common ways of saying hello and goodbye. I'm not a judge, why don't we let them do their job and not rush to judgment. I'd be interested to see how this whole thing plays out.
actionjackson
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 9:51 p.m.
"There was no bad intention," he said. "I did it in a friendly spirit." The trouble with this is that she was a customer and not a "friend."
hifromdiana
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 1:04 p.m.
Basic Bob, that's ridiculous. I would guess that she did get out and walk inside, but that doesn't change the fact that she was already assaulted. NO ONE has the right to put their hands on you without consent, and we're not exactly talking about a gray area here. Touching a stranger's thigh is not "friendly", nor is an unwanted kiss. It is a violation.
Basic Bob
Thu, Feb 14, 2013 : 2:35 a.m.
He's a cab driver, not a licensed therapist or her boss. I don't think ethics apply equally. And at least he did it at the end of her ride. She could simply get out and walk inside.
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
I know people will be asking for Ahamok's mugshot. He was not arraigned at the county jail and his photo was not available through the sheriff's office. When asked, police said they could not provide his booking photo.