Rideshare Driver Pleads Not Guilty to Kidnapping, Raping Woman

VAN NUYS (CNS) - A ride-hailing driver pleaded not guilty today to charges that he kidnapped a Los Angeles woman he picked up outside a bar and raped her after she fell unconscious.

Octavio Alvarez Gomez, 38, is charged with kidnapping to commit rape and rape of an unconscious person, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

Gomez -- driving for Lyft -- allegedly picked the woman up from the bar after she ordered a ride to take her home on Oct. 2, 2018, the District Attorney's Office said.

He allegedly failed to drop her off at her requested location, drove some distance, stopped his vehicle in a secluded area and raped her while she was unconscious, according to the District Attorney's Office.

He was arrested Sept. 13 by Los Angeles police, and has remained in custody since then on $1.1 million bail, jail records show.

If convicted of the charges, Gomez could face life in prison, the District Attorney's Office said.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content