An Uber driver accused of raping a female passenger at a North Hollywood motel while the 24-year-old woman was unconscious pleaded not guilty Monday to felony charges.
Alaric Spence, 46, faces up to 15 years to life in state prison if convicted of one felony count each of kidnapping to commit rape, rape of an unconscious person and rape by use of drugs, according to the District Attorney's Office.
He is due back in court Aug. 21, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Prosecutors allege that Spence picked up the woman in downtown Los Angeles June 23, drove her to the motel and carried her from his car into the room, where he raped her. The woman was intoxicated and unconscious at the time of the alleged attack, according to Deputy District Attorney Reinhold Mueller.
Los Angeles police said the woman passed out in the back of Spence's car while en route to Hollywood about 3 a.m. She woke up alone, not knowing where she was or how she got there, and called police.
Spence, who was arrested shortly after the attack, is being held on $1.1 million bail.
He has prior drug-related convictions and had been an Uber driver for six months, according to police.
