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A Lyft driver has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a passenger on a trip from West Hollywood to Santa Monica last year.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, told the Santa Monica Police Department that 34-year-old Fernando Macias Morales of Los Angeles drove her home from a restaurant in West Hollywood on Sept. 7, 2023, police said in a release.
The woman, a Santa Monica resident, fell asleep in the Lyft and “woke up to inappropriate touching,” police said.
“The suspect then offered to walk her to her door, which she refused,” police said, adding that the woman then realized that “several hours had passed since she was picked up.”
Morales was arrested in the San Fernando Valley on Friday and faces three felony counts:
- Kidnapping to commit a sexual act
- Sexual penetration of a person intoxicated or under sedation
- Oral copulation of a person intoxicated person or under sedation
Morales was in custody on $500,000 bail, though jail records indicate he has since been released since posting bond. No court date information was available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Stephanie Davis at 310-458-2201 x4400, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at 310-458-8931 or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
