Uber driver charged with raping passenger during Vegas ride

LAS VEGAS (AP) — An Uber driver is charged with raping a female passenger who police say fell asleep before waking up as she was attacked during a ride in metro Las Vegas. Clark County jail records say 30-year-old Dawed Oumer Mekonene was arrested Tuesday and remained in jail Friday pending a Thursday court hearing on charges of sexual assault and battery by strangulation to commit sexual assault. Online court records didn’t list a defense attorney who might comment on Mekonene’s behalf about the allegations but said he’s represented by the public defender’s office. The office was closed Friday for the holiday.