Mohammed Al Nuaimi held on $200,000 bond; case bound to Franklin County grand jury
Mohammed Al Nuaimi, 28, of Hilliard, faces felony charges of burglary, kidnapping, and gross sexual imposition after an alleged assault on the mother of a child he previously transported for South Western City Schools, according to filings in Franklin County Municipal Court and statements from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred Feb. 20 at an apartment complex in western Franklin County, outside Columbus city limits, an area served by the sheriff’s office. Al Nuaimi was arraigned Feb. 23, released on a $200,000 bond, and the case was bound over to a Franklin County Common Pleas Court grand jury on Feb. 24. A grand jury indictment has not been announced as of publication.
This marks the second major kidnapping case in the Columbus area this week, following the who was handed a 10-year minimum term just days ago.
Allegations in Court Filings
According to a probable cause affidavit referenced in municipal court records, the victim, an adult woman who is not being identified, reported that Al Nuaimi approached her on Feb. 20 and asked her to come to his vehicle.
While inside the vehicle, the victim told investigators that Al Nuaimi gestured as if he had a gun, causing her to believe she was not free to leave, according to court documents.
The affidavit states the victim reported that Al Nuaimi then forced her into her apartment and made nonconsensual sexual contact. She told investigators she was able to break free, after which Al Nuaimi left the residence.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Court filings do not identify the apartment complex by name or address.
Employment and Transportation Role
Al Nuaimi was not a direct employee of South Western City Schools.
District officials confirmed he worked as an independent driver contracted through Ohio Scholar Transport, which provides student transportation services for the district.
Al Nuaimi had transported her 6-year-old daughter to and from Prairie Lincoln Elementary School in Hilliard in the weeks before the alleged assault.
Ohio Scholar Transport told that Al Nuaimi was not working in its capacity on the day of the incident and was instead driving for Lyft.
Ohio Scholar Transport confirmed it has opened its own internal investigation.
Background Check Requirements
Court records indicate Al Nuaimi has no prior criminal record in Franklin County.
Under Ohio Revised Code 3327.10, school transportation contractors are required to conduct state and federal criminal background checks through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI before allowing drivers to transport students.
Ohio Scholar Transport’s statement did not confirm whether Al Nuaimi completed those background checks prior to beginning service. South Western City Schools’ statement did not address vendor oversight or compliance review.
Authorities have not released additional details on this aspect of the case.
Court Status and Conditions
A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued a temporary protection order as a condition of Al Nuaimi’s release.
The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has not issued a public statement. Prosecutors have not confirmed when the case will be presented to the grand jury or whether additional charges may be filed.
Several questions remain unanswered. Officials have not confirmed the name or address of the apartment complex where the incident occurred, whether a grand jury indictment has been issued, how many children Al Nuaimi transported in total, whether additional families have been notified, or whether South Western City Schools plans to review its contractor oversight procedures.
ColumbusFrontline.com has submitted inquiries to South Western City Schools, Ohio Scholar Transport, Lyft, and the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. This article will be updated as new information is confirmed.
This report is based on Franklin County Municipal Court filings, a probable cause affidavit from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and statements from South Western City Schools and Ohio Scholar Transport as reported by ABC6/WSYX.