Texas Man Faces Charges for Kidnapping, Carjacking Rideshare Driver

Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez allegedly forced the driver to drive from Texas to South Florida at gunpoint.

A 23-year-old Texas man has been arrested and charged in a Miami federal court for allegedly kidnapping and carjacking a rideshare driver at gunpoint and forcing them to drive from Texas to South Florida.

Miguel Alejandro Pastran Hernandez faces charges of kidnapping, carjacking, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Texas Man Faces Charges for Kidnapping, Carjacking Rideshare Driver

The criminal complaint alleges that the rideshare driver was working in Arlington, Texas, on August 16 when Pastran Hernandez ordered a ride and was picked up.

The suspect reportedly ordered a ride to a gas station that was closed, and when the two arrived, Pastran Hernandez allegedly pulled out a gun and loaded a round into the chamber.

Texas Man Faces Charges for Kidnapping, Carjacking Rideshare Driver

Pastran Hernandez then reportedly threatened to tie up and place the driver in the back of the vehicle but instead demanded the driver take him to South Florida, more than 1,000 miles away.

The attorney's office said when the driver arrived in Florida, Pastran Hernandez spoke about his plan to kidnap another victim for ransom.

Texas Man Faces Charges for Kidnapping, Carjacking Rideshare Driver

On August 19, the suspect also made the driver go to a store in Hialeah, Florida, to purchase supplies for the second kidnapping, but instead of following through with the passenger's demands, the driver fled.

Police later arrested Pastran Hernandez and allegedly found him in possession of a bag containing a loaded gun.

Pastran Hernandez appeared in Miami federal court on Tuesday and was ordered to remain detained. He has a pre-trial detention hearing scheduled for Monday, followed by an arraignment hearing on September 3.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the rideshare company for verification that the incident occurred with one of its drivers and for further comment.

The incident highlights the potential dangers that rideshare drivers face on the job. In recent years, there have been several reports of rideshare drivers being assaulted, robbed, or even killed.

Rideshare companies have taken steps to improve driver safety, such as implementing safety features on their apps and partnering with law enforcement agencies. However, more needs to be done to protect drivers from violent crime.