Miami

Lyft Driver Accused of Molesting Minor Confesses: Police

Teen was picked up from school by driver, police say

The Lyft driver accused of molesting a minor confessed to the offense and admitted to believing the victim was 12 years old, officials said.

Julio C. Perez, 43, was arrested in Hialeah Wednesday night on an out-of-county warrant, Davie Police officials said.

According to the warrant, Perez was working as a Lyft driver on Tuesday when the victim, a 16-year-old boy, requested a ride from his school through the Lyft app.

"He's a pervert. That's what he is. He's a pervert," the victim's mother said. "Emotionally, I'm a wreck ... I'm feeling helpless."

Perez drove the teen home but about 10 minutes later, knocked on his door. Perez began making advances toward the teen, telling him he was very attractive and asking him if he liked boys, the warrant said.

The warrant said Perez caressed the teen's face and leaned in to kiss him on the mouth. The teen, fearing Perez would force his way in, let Perez inside the home, the warrant said.

Perez "was able to coerce his way into getting into the residence. Once inside the residence he forced the boy to perform oral sex on him," Davie Police Cpt. Dale Engle said.

While they were inside the home, Perez sexually battered the teen, the warrant said. Before Perez left the home, he left a business card, telling the teen he'd like to pick him up from school again, the warrant said.

"Emotionally, I'm a wreck. I haven't gone to work in three days already," the teen's mom told NBC 6 Thursday. "I have to go pick my son from school every day. My son doesn't feel safe anymore. It's just horrible."

Perez, who has been charged with unlawful sexual contact with a minor, was being held in the Miami-Dade jail Thursday. Attorney information wasn't available.

"We are horrified by these allegations. We deactivated the driver as soon as this was reported, and stand ready to support the passenger and his family," Lyft said in a statement Thursday. "We are currently in contact with law enforcement and have offered our full assistance and cooperation."

The victim's mother said Lyft should have properly screened Perez. Despite the horror, she is glad her son told her what happened.

"I wish Lyft would've done a better background check, especially if he's a predator," she said. "I think my son had the guts and the courage to come to me and tell me everything that had happened and he is my hero. My son is my hero."

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