Norwood Man Arraigned for Impersonating a State Trooper in Attempt to Exploit Woman

BOSTON, March 16, 2022— A man who impersonated a member of law enforcement while attempting to solicit sex in Boston appeared in court for arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

MOHAMAD ELAWAD, 30, of Norwood, was arraigned today in the Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court on charges of impersonating a police officer and solicitation.  He was released on $300 bail, which he had posted prior to his arraignment, and was ordered to stay away from the area surrounding Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

As part of ongoing initiatives addressing human trafficking and other serious crimes in the area of Mass and Cass, members of the Boston Police Department Human Trafficking and Street Outreach units and the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit were present in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Rusfield Street.  There, officers observed a woman enter black Ford F150 operated by Elawad and exit the vehicle a short time later.  Upon speaking with the woman, they received information that the driver of the vehicle had attempted to solicit sex for a fee.  He identified himself to the victim as a State Trooper and threatened to arrest her if she did not comply.

Officers stopped the vehicle and observed a State Police union sticker on the vehicle’s front windshield, a Boston Police insignia displayed on the rear windshield, and a knit cap bearing the words “Boston Police” was in clear view in the vehicle’s back seat.

Elawad has never been employed as a member of law enforcement.

“The public’s ability to trust in members of law enforcement is vital to the strength and safety of our communities.  The allegations against this individual are reprehensible.  He attempted to exploit a vulnerable victim by posing as a member of law enforcement and wielding that position of trust and authority to inflict harm.  Luckily, real police were on site to stop him and to offer services to the victim,” District Attorney Hayden said.

Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher Mason also thanked District Attorney Hayden for partnership in prosecuting the case against Elawad and treating the offense of impersonating a police officer with the appropriate concern.

Assistant District Attorney Lisa Deacutis represented the Commonwealth at arraignment.  Elawad returns to court April 21, 2022.

 James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.