What police say started as a bogus traffic stop near Capital Boulevard and Old Wake Forest Road in mid-March has ended with a familiar name back in cuffs. Meredith Cromartie, 33, turned himself in this week and is now charged with impersonating a law-enforcement officer, extortion, sexual battery and second-degree kidnapping. Raleigh police say the investigation is still active.
According to WRAL, Raleigh police got a call about the alleged incident around 7:22 p.m. on a Thursday, which launched the investigation that eventually led to Cromartie’s surrender. WRAL reports that officers later identified the slate of charges he now faces.
A pattern of impersonation
This is not Cromartie’s first run-in with accusations that he played police officer in real life. Local reporting shows he was arrested in 2018 after being accused of posing as an officer to steal a teenager’s dog, according to ABC11. Court records also show he was convicted in a 2022 judgment stemming from a 2021 kidnapping prosecution; that opinion and docket are available in court documents.
Police timeline and alleged contact
Raleigh police allege Cromartie staged a traffic stop, pulling the victim over and then forcing the person into unwanted sexual contact during the encounter, according to WRAL. Investigators say he continued to contact the victim afterward and was also seen driving near the victim’s home before turning himself in to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Charges and next steps
Cromartie is facing multiple state charges: impersonating a law-enforcement officer, extortion, sexual battery and second-degree kidnapping, Raleigh police said. The case remains active, with prosecutors now responsible for formal filings and court dates. Detectives asked anyone with information to call 919-996-3335.
The law and how to stay safe
Under North Carolina law, falsely presenting yourself as a sworn officer is a crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what happens during the encounter. The statute is blunt: “No person shall falsely represent to another that he is a sworn law-enforcement officer,” according to the North Carolina General Assembly.
Authorities say that if something feels off during a stop, drivers can call 911 to verify that an officer is legitimate, ask to see both a badge and official identification, and, when possible, request that a marked patrol unit respond before they fully engage.
Raleigh police say they are continuing to investigate and again urged anyone with tips to contact detectives. This story will be updated as officials release additional information or court filings.
