Uber Driver Charged With Raping 16-Year-Old Girl Held Without Bail
MALDEN (CBS) -- An Uber driver accused of raping a 16-year-old girl collapsed and broke down during his arraignment Thursday as a judge read the charge against him.
Darnell Booth, 34, of Dorchester, was arrested Wednesday night by Everett Police. He is accused of raping the girl in a vacant parking lot on July 5, and was ordered held without bail Thursday.
Prosecutors said he first encountered the girl on June 30, when she requested an Uber ride from Melrose to Everett. They said Booth then added her on Snapchat, where he began communicating with her.
On July 5, prosecutors said, Booth messaged the girl asking if she needed a ride to school after she said she missed her bus. During that ride, prosecutor Carrie Spiros said he pulled into a vacant parking lot and attacked her.
"He leaned over from the driver's seat and slapped her in the face on two occasions," Spiros said.
She said Booth then climbed into the backseat of the car and raped her.
Booth pulled his shirt over his head to cover his face as he was walked in to Malden District Court. He fell to the floor and started sobbing after the judge read aloud that he was charged with rape.
The case was briefly put on hold while his attorney consoled him and got him standing again.
According to prosecutors, Booth has an extensive criminal history.
But his defense attorney said Booth is innocent and "looks forward to the day when this entire story can come out in court."
He is due back in court for a dangerousness hearing on Monday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
