Man found guilty of rape after posing as taxi driver

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - A Lafayette man who posed as a taxi driver and lured two women into his vehicle was found guilty of multiple felonies, including confinement and rape.             

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said after a three-day jury trial and more than four hours of deliberation, 32-year-old Jacob Stidham was convicted of rape, two counts of confinement, public indecency and battery.             

Harrington said in March, two women in the Chauncey Hill parking lot got into Stidham’s car thinking it was a taxi. One passed out in the back seat. Stidham exposed himself to the other woman and asked her to perform oral sex. 

When she called 911, he pushed her out of the car and drove off with the other woman still in the back seat. That woman made contact with family members at a gas station about two hours later. 

She told officers her bra had been unclipped, but she was not sure what happened. She was also missing her camera, keys and wallet.              

A hospital examination found injuries consistent with rape and Harrington says DNA was traced to Stidham.              

Officers later found several of the stolen items at his apartment.            

Harrington said Stidham faces six to 29 and 1/2 years in prison. 

Sentencing is set for Oct. 29.