Dorchester man charged with approaching 14-year-old with chemical-laced handkerchief

BOSTON, August 4, 2025 – A Dorchester man has been charged with attempting to place a handkerchief soaked with an unknown liquid over the mouth of a 14-year-old boy standing on a street corner, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

WILLIE COWART, 69, was charged in Roxbury BMC Wednesday with one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (chemical handkerchief). Cowart was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from the victim and from the incident location.  Cowart will return to court October 29 for an appointment of counsel hearing.

At about 12:21 p.m. on July 28, Boston and MBTA police responded to an assault and battery call at the corner of Dudley and Washington streets in Roxbury.

Officers spoke to the victim, 14, who told them he was waiting for his brother to pick him up when an older man wearing a Hawaiian shirt approached, poured an unknown liquid on a red handkerchief, and tried to put the handkerchief over his mouth. The victim fled to the Nubian Square bus station and contacted police.

Shortly after officers on Dudley Street saw a man, later identified as Cowart, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and carrying a red handkerchief. Cowart, who was sweating profusely, denied knowing the victim or having any interaction with him.

The victim positively identified Cowart during a show-up procedure. The victim was evaluated on scene by Boston EMS.

Officers searched Cowart’s vehicle and found several chemical cleaning agents inside the car.

Police arrested Cowart without incident.

“This is a strange, and extremely disturbing, set of facts. It doesn’t take much imagination to appreciate how frightening it was for this young man to be standing on a street corner and suddenly be accosted in such a bizarre manner.  I’m grateful that he suffered no apparent injuries,” Hayden said.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications