An Uber driver from Dorchester was arrested and charged Thursday with raping a 16-year-old Everett girl he had picked up, prosecutors said.

Darnell Booth, 34, was held without bail after being charged with rape at his Malden District Court arraignment, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the victim first met Booth when he picked her up on June 30. She had requested the ride through the mobile ride-hailing service Uber. Four days later, on July 4, she noticed that Booth had added her on Snapchat, the DA’s office said. That night, Booth allegedly told the girl via Snapchat that he was outside of her home and asked her to come outside. She said no, prosecutors said.


The next day, the girl was running late to catch a bus. Booth allegedly asked her through Snapchat if she needed a ride. She said yes, and Booth allegedly picked her up, took her to a secluded location, parked the car, and raped her.

Then, prosecutors said, Booth dropped her off at her destination.

Ryan said Booth “allegedly took advantage of a young woman who trusted him in his professional capacity as an Uber driver.”

“It is critical that consumers continue to use caution when employing these services,” Ryan said in the statement.

Booth was arrested by Everett police.

“After understanding some of the details in this case I am concerned that not enough is being done to properly screen drivers,” Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie said in the statement. “The public should use caution when using these ride sharing programs.”

Uber said in a statement that what’s been described by prosecutors is “deeply upsetting.” Uber spokeswoman Susan Hendrick told Boston.com that Booth has been “permanently banned” from using Uber. He started working for the ride-hailing company in February 2016 and has not driven for Uber or used the app since late July, she said.

“Obviously we’re digging into this incident and this driver,” Hendrick said.


In court Thursday, Booth’s attorney Jo Ann Stringer said, “there are more questions than answers at this point,” according to The Boston Globe.

“He looks forward to the day when the entire story can come out in court,” Stringer said.

Booth will return to court for a dangerousness hearing on Monday.