A Florida man facing sexual battery charges allegedly lured a teenage Texan girl via Instagram and paid for her cross-state Uber rides to his home.
The girl told police 24-year-old Apopka resident Edward Brown forced her to stay at his home but that she eventually escaped and called for help.
The alleged victim said Brown told her he was "Instagram famous" and that he would "take care of her." The teen was reported missing out of San Antonio, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Brown is being held in the Orange County Jail under a $40,000 bond – facing charges including sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
An arrest report said Brown "ordered an Uber from San Antonio all the way to his home in Apopka."
NBC affiliate WESH 2 News spoke with Zachary Russ, who said he's Brown's best friend.
"He's not a rapist, man. He's got a thing for young girls, but he's got to wise up and make sure they're 18," Russ said.
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The teen told police she had been at Brown's house, owned by his parents, for three to four days. She said Brown forced her to have sex and that he used drugs.
The alleged victim also told police that Brown wouldn't let her leave, as he allegedly said: "No. You owe me now for bringing you all the way out here."
She told police she escaped through the front door when Brown fell asleep.
Brown told police he and the teen were "only friends and nothing more," adding that they "never had any type of sexual contact and that he does not consume any drugs."
Brown showed police a $822 receipt for an Uber ride from Louisiana to Apopka.
The Florida Department of Children and Families is investigating the case.
