Uber driver charged with kidnapping 15-year-old to sexually assault her, police say

An Uber driver in New York was charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and endangering a child after allegedly trying to bring a 15-year-old to his home with plans to drink with her and sexually assault her.

Sean Williams, 32, allegedly abducted a 15-year-old girl who intended to head home from a Sweet 16 party in July on Long Island, instead driving her toward his Brooklyn apartment.

Williams planned to give her alcohol and sexually assault her afterward, said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

During the car ride, the girl allegedly repeated that she was only 15. Once in Brooklyn, she allegedly convinced Williams that she had to use the bathroom. She was able to contact police from a McDonald's.

“The girl was terrorized by the defendant’s alleged behavior and bravely took action to contact police and free herself,” said Singas.

Steven Galtman, Williams' attorney, disputed the claims in a statement to NBC News, saying the girl "had her cell phone on her person the entire car ride" and that Williams "obliged ... when she entered the McDonald's unaccompanied."

Uber banned Williams from driving for the app after the incident was reported.

“What has been reported is deeply alarming and the driver’s access to the app has been removed,” said an Uber spokesperson in a Thursday statement to USA TODAY. "We stand ready to cooperate with law enforcement."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Uber driver arrested for kidnapping teen to assault her in New York