Safety Gaps Lead to Teen’s Attack in NYC

A 16-year-old girl from Long Island trusted an Uber ride to meet someone she had been chatting with online since January. That person turned out to be Ralfy Figueroa, a 26-year-old with a history of crimes. Figueroa had just finished a program meant to help young offenders avoid prison instead of serving time. He lured the teen with threats, paid her for a fake photo, and convinced her to get in his car. The Uber driver never checked her ID or confirmed her age, breaking basic safety rules.Once the girl arrived in Bushwick, Figueroa forced her into his car, assaulted her, filmed the attack, and made threats against her family. He later abandoned her in another Uber that he canceled mid-ride, leaving her stranded. The attack left her needing serious mental health care far from home. Her family is now suing Uber, arguing the company’s weak safety measures made the assault possible. Figueroa had been in a court program after selling drugs to an undercover cop. His plea deal could now be revoked, meaning he might face years in prison for his crimes. Uber says safety is its top priority but won’t comment on the lawsuit. The case raises questions about how well these "alternative" programs work and whether they let dangerous people stay free too long.