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Lily Presson

Sean Holstege

JMC 301 - 70926

29 Oct. 2021

Story 5: Crime/Courts

A Scottsdale man was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated assault on Monday,

according to court documents.

David Schoelles, 52, was sentenced to 16 days in jail after beating up Miguel Ochoa, his Uber

driver, a year ago, court documents said.

According to the arresting officer, the man’s speech was slurred and he gave off a strong scent of

alcohol as he spoke.

Court documents said that Schoelles attended the Phoenix Rising game last October and after a

few drinks, called the rideshare app to taxi home.

According to court documents, Ochoa was punched by one of the passengers in the backseat

while driving.

When Ochoa pulled the car over and asked the passengers to leave, Schoelles pushed and kicked

the victim repeatedly, the documents said.

According to the report, Ochoa's nose was broken into several pieces and had many cuts on his

face.

Upon searching, the defendant was found to be in possession of “a green pill with an imprint of a

marijuana leaf” and a “marijuana joint in dispensary packaging,” court documents said.

Schoelles told police that he did not have an Arizona Medical Marijuana Card.
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According to court documents, the defendant was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly

conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The judge allowed Schoelles to work during the week and serve 16 days in jail on the weekends

over the next few months, the sentencing order showed.

According to the documents, the judge also sentenced Schoelles to an additional 90 days in jail

beginning in August of next year, but said that “jail may be further deferred or deleted if

Defendant is in substantial compliance with probation terms.”

“I’m so sorry and so remorseful for what happened, and I take full responsibility for my actions.

I'm truly sorry. I’m sorry to the prosecutor, to my attorney, your honor,” Schoelles said.

Schoelles also mentioned to the judge that he was starting a new job as the CEO of a company.

“I think my life and my family is worth as much, even if I’m a flex delivery person, as much as a

CEO,” Ochoa said.

“Thank God I survived, because it was tough. Never in my life have I felt that I was close to

losing my life,” the victim said.

“I just got to focus on myself, try to move on from this,” Ochoa said. “I really don’t expect

anything from this guy honestly.”

Ochoa said that he suffers from chronic headaches and still cannot breathe out of his nose

properly.

Uber, a multibillion dollar company, told Ochoa it couldn’t help pay for his medical bills he

incurred, AZCentral said in an article.

An Uber spokesperson told the Republic that the company was aware of the incident and

condemned the passenger’s actions.

The victim also said that he is no longer driving for Uber.

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This case could set precedent for future Uber-involved cases, in regards to the legal proceedings

and Uber company policies.

“I don't know what else to add,” Schoelles said, “just that I am ashamed.”

The defendant seemed to be remorseful and said he wished he could take it back upon

sentencing.

Schoelles’ attorney did not respond for comment.