Uber Driver Accused of Raping Mass. Teen, Ordered Held Without Bail

An Uber driver is facing charges of child rape Thursday, according to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan's office.

Darnell Booth, 36, was arrested by Everett police. He was arraigned in Malden District Court and stands accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.

Booth was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Monday.

“The defendant in this case allegedly took advantage of a young woman who trusted him in his professional capacity as an Uber driver. Even with increased screening in place under the new law, it is critical that consumers continue to use caution when employing these services,” District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a release.

Prosecutors say Booth was the victim's Uber driver when she used the app on June 30. Four days later, she noticed that an account she believed belonged to Booth began to follow her on Snapchat. At 11 p.m. that day, Booth allegedly messaged the girl through Snapchat and told her he was outside her house and she should come out. The victim refused the invitation had more contact with Booth the next day.

On July 5, the victim missed her bus and was asked by the defendant through Snapchat if she needed a rise. The victim accepted the ride and was picked up by Booth. During the ride, Booth allegedly drove to a secluded location, raped the victim in Everett, and dropped her off at her destination.

Prior to the initial contact, the victim didn't know Booth, investigators said.

An attorney for Booth questioned how he could get the victim's Snapchat username without her knowledge.

The news comes less than a week after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a law requiring a two-tier background check process for drivers with mobile ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. The governor signed the bill over the objections of law enforcement officials who argued those protections were not strong enough, and that a fingerprint background check should be included in the law.

Dan Libon contributed to this report.

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