Arrested cab driver has lengthy criminal record

The San Antonio cab driver accused of assaulting a female passenger has a long history of run-ins with the law.

Fifty-nine-year old John Willis’ criminal background includes two convictions for unlawful carry of a weapon, one for criminal mischief, two for criminal trespassing, three for driving with a suspended license, and two convictions for DWI. All of his convictions occurred more than six years prior to him receiving his operators permit from the city of San Antonio in 2003.

All cab driver must undergo a criminal background check with the police department before receiving a permit. SAPD says it was aware of Willis’ troubled past when it approved his permit.

“In this particular case this individual’s record was clean for many years," said Assistant Police Chief Geraldine Garcia.

San Antonio has an ordinance pertaining to issuing permits to individuals with criminal records, but Garcia said the ordinance is not clear as to what crimes make an applicant ineligible.

In 2008, the city rejected nearly one in four applications for cab driver permits.

Garcia said, "We can't predict the future, but we do as much as we can."