MBTA Bus Driver Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Passenger

WINTHROP, MA — An MBTA bus driver is accused of sexually assaulting a passenger after refusing to let her off the bus, the Suffolk District Attorney's Office said. Ali Ennab, 45, of Revere, is charged with kidnapping, assault to rape and indecent assault and battery. His bail was set at $10,000 following his arraignment Tuesday.

Ennab is employed by Paul Revere Transportation LLC as a contract driver for the MBTA. He was previously charged in an assault and battery case in Malden, for which his bail was revoked, the DA said.

"Paul Revere was shaken to learn about the allegations against an on-duty operator that were reported on Saturday, April 24," the company said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the alleged victim in this matter."

The company suspended Ennab and said it is fully cooperating with the police investigation.

Authorities said the attack happened after the woman missed her stop and was the only remaining person on the bus. The victim, who does not speak English, was picked up from Orient Heights around 7:20 p.m. on April 24 and tried to use the translator app on her phone to ask the driver to take her back, the DA's office said.

Ennab identified himself as "Ali" but did not return to Orient Heights, authorities said. He stopped the bus near the beach in Winthrop, sat next to the woman and put his arm around her, the DA said.

Ennab then pulled her close to him and kissed her cheek, saying he could get her a green card, authorities said. The victim replied that she is married and does not need a green card and asked Ennab to open the doors because she wanted to get off, the DA said.

Ennab asked for her number, and the victim called herself from his phone to display his number if something happened to her, authorities said. Ennab began eating his dinner and refused to open the doors, the DA said.

When Ennab finished eating, he started the bus again but turned it off when the victim walked toward the doors, authorities said. She asked him to open the doors, and he "lunged at her, ripping her mask off and kissing her face," the DA said. Ennab "groped her body and put his hand down her pants," continuing to assault her as she "begged him to stop," authorities said.

Authorities said the victim recorded audio of the assault on her phone. She can be heard in Spanish begging the driver to stop and open the door, to which he responded, "me, I'm boyfriend for you, it's okay," the DA said. Ennab stopped when a woman walked near the bus, causing him to open the door, authorities said.

"To state the obvious: A woman should be able to ride a public bus without fear of kidnap and sexual assault. Women, just like all people, have the right to not be harassed, violated, harmed, or objectified," Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement. "As I have said, fathers need to start speaking to their sons, and men need to tell their brothers, friends and colleagues about a new vision of masculinity where men are working to end violence against women and girls. The allegations outlined in this case are deeply disturbing."

Ennab will be required to surrender his passport, stay away from the victim, submit to GPS tracking and not work for any transportation company. He will next appear in court May 25.