Uber Driver Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Passenger Released On Bail

ASHLAND (CBS) -- An Uber driver who is accused of sexually assaulting a passenger in Ashland faced a judge Monday. Thirty-seven-year-old Jose Arevalos-Avalos was arraigned in Framingham District Court and released on bail.

Police in Ashland received a call about a sexual assault that had just occurred in an Uber around 3:30 p.m. Friday while the woman was headed to work.

"During the ride, the suspect allegedly propositioned the victim and offered her $100 for sex. When the victim refused, the suspect allegedly put his hand between the victim's legs and sexually assaulted her, and he later put the victim's hand between his legs," said police.

At the end of the ride, Arevalos-Avalos gave the woman his phone number and said to call him, she told police.

Arevalos-Avalos was arrested around 11 p.m. that night. He was charged with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and attempting to pay for sexual conduct.

After he was released Monday, Arevalos-Avalos was arrested by ICE officers. A spokesperson for ICE said Arevalos-Avalos is "an illegally present citizen of El Salvador" and was arrested on immigration violations. "ICE will seek to effect Arevalos-Avalos' removal following resolution of the pending criminal charges against him," ICE said in a statement.

Uber said Arevalos-Avalos can no longer access the app and the company is working with police throughout the investigation.

Police advise ride-share users to never sit in the front seat.

"Both Uber and Lyft have an app that you can share your destination, share your trip with a friend or a relative. So go on that app, they can track your ride via GPS,"  added Wellesley Police Chief Jack Pilecki.