An assistant professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School turned himself into the Providence Police Department Friday on one count of second-degree sexual assault charges, according to Major David Lapatin, commanding officer of PPD.
After a warrant for his arrest was issued, Mohammad Ibrahim, the assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine (research), appeared in the Providence District Court and was arraigned. He had voluntarily surrendered himself to the authorities.
The Providence District Court arraigned Mohammad Ibrahim, an assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine (research). Ibrahim surrendered to authorities after PPD issued an arrest warrant.
According to Rhode Island’s General Laws, an individual is guilty of second-degree sexual assault if they “engage in sexual contact with another person” when one of the following circumstances also exists: The accused individual “knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled or physically helpless;” the accused individual “uses force, element of surprise or coercion;” or the accused individual “engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation.”
Lapatin declined to comment on whether the victim was a student.
PPD was first notified of the sexual assault case by the University’s Department of Public Safety on March 20, according to Lapatin.
Ibrahim is a current Brown employee on “administrative leave,” according to University Spokesperson Brian Clark. Before coming to the University, Ibrahim completed his Ph.D. in 2022 at the University of South Alabama. He worked as an assistant professor at Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.
Clark declined to comment on the situation, stating that the University is not “at liberty to speak to matters of personnel involving individual employees.”
“If concerns were raised about an employee issue, we would investigate those concerns and fully assess the details in consideration of the University’s policies,” Clark wrote in an email to The Herald.
DPS deferred to Clark’s response when asked for a comment.
Sexual Harm Acute Response & Empowerment Advocates are available to all Brown community members who seek free and confidential support after having been affected by experiences related to sexual harm. To make an appointment with a SHARE Advocate, you can request an appointment online, email [email protected] or call 401-863-2794.
The University’s Counseling and Psychological Services offer various mental health services for Brown community members, including crisis services, psychiatry, and individual and group counseling. To schedule a CAPS appointment, call 401-863-3476.