Man Accused of Prostitution Tells Police He’s an Uber Driver

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Renton man who is accused of promoting prostitution initially told police he was only a ride-share service driver before changing his story.

The New Tribune reports that the 41-year-old was arraigned Wednesday in Pierce County Superior Court on charges of promoting commercial sex abuse of a minor and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, police met with a 17-year-old girl as part of a prostitution sting. The 41-year-old man was waiting nearby in an SUV. He told police he was not affiliated with the girl's actions, but when police couldn't find the Uber app on his phone, he admitted he was a felon and that he was giving a friend a ride.

Police connected the man to the prostitution with messages on his phone.