19-Year-Old Charged with Impersonating Officer and Conducting Fake Traffic Stops
Jayden Ballard, a 19-year-old from Salisbury, is facing charges for impersonating a Maryland State Police officer and conducting unlawful traffic stops in Wicomico County. According to Maryland State Police, Ballard was served a criminal summons in February and is accused of using a marked police vehicle and uniform to carry out his alleged activities.
The agency reported that Ballard accessed a marked Maryland State Police vehicle and operated it while wearing the uniform, conducting stops in Wicomico County. Authorities are investigating how Ballard gained access to the uniform and police cruiser, with the case highlighting the risks associated with counterfeit law enforcement.
The incident has prompted calls for anyone who may have interacted with Ballard to come forward, as the police are seeking witnesses. Ballard’s trial is set to commence on September 2, according to online court records. The case is part of a broader concern about the potential dangers of individuals impersonating law enforcement, especially given recent incidents involving fake officers in other states.