Bus driver in Broward program accused of lewd act against passenger in a wheelchair
A former bus driver for Broward County’s Transportation Options Program, which serves the disabled or elderly, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a person who is paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, police said Monday.
And detectives fear there could be more victims.
Jakeem Jackson, 28, was arrested Sept. 9 on a charge of sexual assault/lewd and lascivious molestation on an elderly or disabled person for an incident that happened in May 2019.
Police on Thursday released Jackson’s arrest report, portions of which were redacted.
According to Hollywood police, Jackson touched the victim inappropriately while providing transportation from the victim’s home in Hollywood to a location in Miramar on May 11, 2019. Police did not identify the victim or the victim’s gender.
The victim, who is paralyzed from the waist down, was the only person on the bus at the time. The person’s wheelchair was locked in place in the bus. Jackson, according to police, touched the victim through the victim’s pants.
The victim reported the incident five days later. Police reviewed video and GPS records to verify the victim’s account. Police said Jackson asked the victim personal questions including relationship status. According to the report, the victim told police Jackson asked whether the victim had a girlfriend, police said.
First Transit, the contractor for the transportation program, told police that Jackson resigned when he was questioned about the complaint.
“It is believed that Mr. Jakeem Jackson could have victimized other individuals within Broward County,” police said in a news release. “Police Department Special Victims Unit is requesting the public’s assistance in locating any additional victims.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Hollywood police at 954-764-4357(HELP), 954-967-4411. or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS).
This story was originally published September 17, 2020 at 6:16 PM.
