Suffolk ride-share driver sexually assaulted passengers, police say

A ride-share driver was charged Saturday with sexually assaulting two passengers, Suffolk County police said.

Milton Paguada, 40, of East Norwich, was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sex abuse and two counts of forcible touching, police said in a news release.

Paguada allegedly raped a 28-year-old woman, a passenger in the 2022 Toyota Prius that he was driving in Lindenhurst on June 30 at about 10:50 p.m, according to police. At 1 a.m. on Sept. 10 in Copiague, Paguada allegedly forcibly touched another passenger, a 23-year-old woman, police said.

The Suffolk County Police Department identified the ride-share company as C Gacela, based in Lindenhurst. The company’s website says it was founded in 2018 and focuses on service in Suffolk County.

Company owner Juan Payero said Sunday night that he only learned of the arrest through Newsday’s story. 

“He’s suspended and won’t return,” Payero said in Spanish.

He said the company had not received complaints of the alleged sexual assaults. 

Paguada was held in custody on bail of $500,000 bond or $125,000 cash at his arraignment Sunday at First District Court in Central Islip and a temporary order of protection was issued against him, police said.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Paguada should call detectives at 631-854-8152.

By David Olson

david.olson@newsday.com@DavidOlson11

David Olson covers health care. He has worked at Newsday since 2015 and previously covered immigration, multicultural issues and religion at The Press-Enterprise in Southern California.