Taxi owner/driver violated state law because he is a registered sex offender.

Thomas Teague

Taxi owner/driver violated state law because he is a registered sex offender.

The owner of an Amber Township-based taxi service, that was recently shut down by the state, is a convicted sex offender, a violation of the Michigan Limousine, Taxicab, and Transportation Network Company Act (Act 345 of 2016). MCP reported on Thursday, Oct. 25, that the company had been shut down by the state because it failed to register with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and because it allowed an individual who is listed on the national sex offender registry database to operate a taxicab. But, the previous article did not mention that the owner of the company was the individual who is a sex offender. 

Thomas Charles Teague, owner of Town & Country Taxicab and Delivery Service LLC, which is based out of Teague’s home at 515 N. Dennis Road, appears on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry for a 1989 conviction in California for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, a tier three sexual offense in Michigan.

Tier 3 offenders include those convicted of rape, attempted rape, molesting a child under the age of 13, and kidnapping a minor, even if there is no sexual component to the crime. The offenders must report four times a year for life.

Act 345 of 2016 states that a limousine carrier, taxicab carrier, or transportation network company shall not allow an individual to operate a limousine or taxicab or accept transportation network company prearranged ride requests as a transportation network company driver using its digital network if that individual is listed on the national sex offender registry database.

The cease and desist order prohibits the company from operating as a taxicab for hire until a certificate of registration from LARA is obtained and notifies the company of the right to request a hearing within 30 days in response to the order. If LARA does not receive a timely request for a hearing within 30 days, then the order becomes final. If a hearing is not requested, within 60 days of the order becoming final, the respondent must submit to LARA, an affidavit attesting that no individuals listed on the national sex offender registry will operate the taxicab and pay a fine of $240.57 to LARA.

A limousine carrier, taxicab carrier or TNC or an officer or agent of any of the three who requires or knowingly permits a driver to drive or operate a limo, taxicab or personal vehicle in violation of the law is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 per violation or imprisonment for not more than 90 days or both. LARA may also assess a fine against the respondent for violating the Act that covers the actual cost to the department of the investigation and enforcement of the violations, including attorney fees. If a limousine carrier, taxicab carrier, or transportation network company violates a cease and desist order issued by the department, the attorney general may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain and enjoin, temporarily or permanently, that limo carrier, taxicab carrier, or transportation network company from further violating the cease and desist order.