19-year-old accused of impersonating officer, making fake traffic stops

Maryland State Police say a 19-year-old posed as one of their officers and made fake traffic stops. 

The agency said Jayden Ballard of Salisbury was served a criminal summons in February and was charged with impersonating a police officer and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle. 

“The Maryland State Police received information alleging that Ballard had gained access to a marked Maryland State Police vehicle,” according to police. 

“Investigators believe he was operating the patrol vehicle while wearing a Maryland State Police uniform throughout Wicomico County and conducting unlawful traffic stops,” authorities added. 

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The photos purportedly show Ballard wearing a beige uniform with a radio attached to his chest. 

A Maryland State Police spokesperson told WJLA that how Ballard gained access to the uniform and police cruiser is “part of the investigation.”

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“Police are asking anyone who may have interacted with Ballard while he was impersonating a Maryland State Trooper, to contact the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division,” State Police also said in a statement. 

Ballard’s trial is currently scheduled to begin September 24, according to online court records.