QUINCY, MASS. (WHDH) - The Massachusetts Trial Court is no longer allowing bailed out prisoners 24 hours to turn over their passports after an Uber driver from Quincy accused of raping a passenger earlier this month fled the country, officials said.
Frederick Amfo, 30, was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail Friday following his arraignment in Quincy District Court on one count of rape, according to a spokeswoman for the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. He’s accused of raping a female passenger April 9 while working as an Uber driver.
Although the judge ordered that if Amfo posted bail, he must stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim, surrender his passport, and no longer work for Uber, Lyft or any other ride-sharing company, a Trial Court spokeswoman said prosecutors have learned he has fled the country after being granted 24 hours to turn over his passport — an option they’re no longer offering.
“The court has now implemented procedures to ensure that defendants who are ordered by the court to surrender their passports surrender them when they post bail and prior to their release,” the spokesperson said.
When Amfo failed to appear for a probation hearing and prosecutors learned he left the country, the spokeswoman said the court granted a non-bailable warrant for his arrest on Tuesday.
Amfo’s lawyer said his client moved to America from Ghana in 2009. His current whereabouts are unknown.
This is a developing news story, 7News will post additional information as it becomes available.
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