Police Search for Livery Cabbie Accused of Raping Passenger

A livery cab driver who was thrust into the spotlight last year in a faked abandoned baby story is now wanted for allegedly raping a passenger in Astoria. The police are looking for Klever Sailema (pictured, center), who may be in hiding or may have even left the country.

According to police, a 23-year-old waitress passed out drunk in his cab and Sailema allegedly assaulted her. A source told the Daily News, "She kinda wakes up and finds him on top of her. She fought him off and got away," with the woman managing to grab Sailema's livery cab license and getting another livery cab.

However, Sailema apparently told NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers's Fernando Mateo that the sex was consensual; Mateo said, "He's afraid. He doesn't understand why he's being charged. According to him, she was drunk. He doesn't feel like he did anything wrong." Mateo added that Sailema said the woman was "leading him on."

Sailema's attorney told the News that Sailema would turn himself in today, but the Post's sources suspect he may have fled to his native Ecuador. Last year, Sailema brought a 6-month old baby to a firehouse, claiming the baby's father abandoned her in his cab. It turned out the baby was his girlfriend's niece—his girlfriend's 27-year-old brother was overwhelmed with watching the baby after the baby's 14-year-old mother left—so they plotted a way to abandon the baby in a safe place. Though he and his girlfriend were initially arrested, the Queens DA's office believed that Sailema was ultimately thinking about the baby's safety and did not pursue charges.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 6, 2009 10:31 AM

Comments [rss]

robingee

Lots of these men come from countries where it's perfectly OK to abuse women in any way they choose. When they get to America - WAKE UP CALL, A-HOLE!

Snoopy

I no speak english two well. I been dis country only fiteen years. i not lawyor, not no customs in america. I only come her for short wile to earn pesos to sended back to family in old country where I was borne.

S.D.

"According to him, she was drunk. He doesn't feel like he did anything wrong."

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...

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That statement is stunning all by itself.

She was drunk and he thought it was OK to take advantage of her???

Unbelievable.

robingee

She was leading him on by passing out! When a woman is out cold she's Open For Business!

dadoc

Shouldn't he also be charged with impersonating a police officer?

Wza

hahaha!!

But seriously, what's up with this consensual excuse?

Pigs.

jaycjay

Ah... that one took me a while.

BigRed

It is ILLEGAL for livery cabs to pick up street hails. If that law was enforced more, people wouldn't be attacked so often by livery cab drivers, many of whom are illegal and completely unlicensed either by the DMV or the TLC. So please do youselves a favor and CALL a livery cab -- the legitimate companies have good drivers and will usually come and pick you up in 5-10 minutes. That small amount of time is worth saving your life.

Ed

"so often" ? How often do you hear of livery cab drivers attacking passengers ? They're usually the ones shot in the head, robbed of a few dollars, leaving their wives widowed and their kids fatherless. Don't take this one instance as a generalization.

jaycjay

Since you asked, I'd estimate personally that I hear about it happening roughly three or four times a year.

jenryannyc

i live in Astoria and this is why I only use one car service. the drivers know me and Id rather phone them and wait 10 mintues as opposed to hailing someone off the street. too risky.