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Crime Journalists - USA

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Discover and contact the top Crime journalists in USA, updated for 2025. If you're interested in contacting Crime journalists, you can sign up below and download the Crime journalists contact list!

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Top Crime Journalists in USA (2025)

The Top Crime Journalists in USA in 2025 are:

Crime journalist at Chicago Tribune, USA
USA
Crime
Law
Military

Currently writing for the Chicago Tribune's Criminal Justice team, Sweeney focuses on systemic reforms at the intersection of public safety and equity. Her work bridges investigative rigor with solutions-oriented reporting.

Priority Topics

  • Gun Violence Prevention: Seeks data-rich stories on trafficking patterns and community-led interventions
  • Carceral System Reform: Particularly interested in alternatives to incarceration for women and nonviolent offenders
  • Police Accountability: Accepts FOIA-assisted research on resource allocation and use-of-force trends

Pitching Preferences

"The most compelling pitches demonstrate understanding of both policy minutiae and human impact."
  • Do: Lead with verified outcomes from programs operational >2 years
  • Avoid: Anecdotal stories without systemic implications

Recent Recognition

  • 2022 Polk Fellowship for algorithmic policing investigation
  • 2021 Medill Medal for COVID-19 jail outbreak series

Crime journalist at Reuters, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

Brad Heath brings a prosecutor's rigor to his Reuters reporting on the U.S. justice system, specializing in:

  • Federal Law Enforcement Tactics: Resource allocation patterns, interagency task forces, and use of specialized units for non-core missions
  • Prosecutorial Accountability: Brady violation tracking, sentencing recommendation audits, and disciplinary process reforms
  • Investigative Methodologies: Advanced FOIA strategies, bulk data analysis techniques, and source network development

Pitching Recommendations

  • Lead with Documents: 92% of his published work incorporates primary government records or authenticated datasets
  • Highlight Systemic Implications: Successful pitches demonstrate how individual cases reveal institutional patterns
  • Avoid Speculation: Focus on completed actions rather than proposed policy changes

Career Highlights

  • Exposed ICE's redirection of child exploitation investigators to immigration enforcement
  • Revealed lead contamination risks in 1,200+ U.S. public schools through FOIA-driven analysis
  • Developed predictive models for identifying prosecutor misconduct patterns

Crime journalist at The Miami Herald, USA
USA
Crime
Law
Courts

Charles Rabin is The Miami Herald’s foremost chronicler of law enforcement practices and criminal justice reform, with a decade-long focus on police accountability in South Florida. His work sits at the intersection of civil rights advocacy and institutional analysis, employing both data journalism and narrative storytelling to drive policy discussions.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Police Conduct Investigations: Rabin’s 2023 series on social media misconduct led to statewide bodycam policy revisions
  • Union Contract Impacts: His analysis of arbitration clauses has been cited in three federal court cases
  • Community Response Metrics: Developed original frameworks for measuring public trust in law enforcement

Pitching Recommendations

Focus on Implementable Solutions

Rabin prioritizes stories with clear policy pathways, such as his 2024 examination of de-escalation training effectiveness across Miami-Dade precincts.

Leverage Local Data Sources

Successful pitches often incorporate Florida-specific datasets, like his use of FDLE arrest statistics to track discretionary charging patterns.

Crime journalist at NBC Boston, USA
USA
Crime
Lifestyle
Courts

As NBC Boston’s senior correspondent, Cho investigates crime patterns while highlighting community resilience. Her work bridges hard news analysis with compassionate storytelling about systemic challenges.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Urban Violence Prevention: Tracks implementation of new policing technologies and youth outreach programs
  • Regulatory Oversight: Exposes licensing gaps in high-risk industries through data-driven investigations
  • Legal System Impacts: Analyzes how court decisions affect neighborhood safety and family dynamics

Pitching Insights

  • Lead with local data: Cho prioritizes Massachusetts-specific crime statistics or policy proposals
  • Highlight human angles: Successful pitches connect legal developments to individual stories

Crime journalist at San Francisco Chronicle, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

As former investigative reporter turned SFPD communications director, Sernoffsky brings unparalleled insight into urban policing challenges. His work at the San Francisco Chronicle and KTVU established him as a leading analyst of:

  • Technology-Driven Policing: Track record of examining surveillance tools' impact on crime rates
  • Resource Allocation: Deep dives into staffing crises and budget tradeoffs
  • Narcotics Enforcement: Data-rich assessments of drug policy outcomes

Pitching Insights

Successful pitches combine fresh datasets with human stories, particularly those highlighting:

  • Innovative uses of predictive analytics in crime prevention
  • Comparative analyses of regional policing strategies
  • Long-term studies of recidivism patterns
"Effective public safety coverage requires understanding both the dashboard lights and the dark corners."

Achievements: Finalist for state-level journalism awards in both breaking news and investigative categories, with particular recognition for transforming complex policy debates into accessible narratives.

Crime journalist at 12News, USA
USA
Crime
Law
Transportation

As 12News Phoenix's senior digital content producer, Williams has redefined crime and transportation reporting through her unique blend of investigative rigor and community-centered storytelling. Her work consistently bridges the gap between law enforcement data and civilian experiences.

Key Coverage Areas

  • **Traffic Pattern Analysis**: Specializes in monsoon-related collision clusters
  • **Missing Persons Protocols**: Documents evolving search technologies
  • **Tribal Governance**: Highlights indigenous public safety innovations

Pitching Priorities

  • **Preventative Solutions**: Showcase measurable impact
  • **Cross-Jurisdictional Partnerships**: Emphasize unique collaborations
  • **Data Visualization Opportunities**: Provide GIS mapping assets

**Recent Recognition**: 2024 National Headliner Award finalist for best digital investigative series

Crime journalist at Los Angeles Times, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Media

James Queally is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter specializing in criminal justice and media labor issues for the Los Angeles Times. Based in Southern California, his work bridges courtroom drama with systemic analysis, particularly focusing on prosecutorial decision-making and law enforcement accountability.

Key Coverage Areas

  • High-stakes legal policy: Track record includes exclusive reporting on death penalty reinstatement and three-strikes law applications
  • Police misconduct patterns: From racist text message scandals to misuse-of-force cases, his work drives accountability reforms
  • Newsroom labor dynamics: As LA Times Guild secretary, provides unique insight into journalism’s evolving business models

Avoid Pitches About

  • True crime without policy angles
  • Entertainment industry legal cases
  • Federal legislation without CA implementation analysis
“Our managers continue to drag their feet by not making serious offers on pay or AI policies... We soldier on in spite of this.” - Guild Eagle newsletter

Queally’s reporting combines document-driven investigation with narrative flair, often revealing how institutional decisions impact vulnerable communities. His dual perspective as union leader and veteran reporter makes him particularly receptive to stories about workplace equity in public service sectors.

Crime journalist at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, USA
USA
Crime
Environment
Military

This Emmy-winning investigative journalist exposes systemic failures through data-driven storytelling. Currently at Reveal, Jones specializes in:

  • Institutional Accountability: Healthcare systems, energy policies, and veteran support programs
  • Forensic Journalism: Combining financial audits with ballistic reanalysis in cold cases
  • Policy Impact: 83% of his investigations prompt legislative or regulatory changes

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Lead with never-before-analyzed government datasets
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity-focused true crime stories
  • Unique Angle: Stories where corporate financial records contradict public statements

Career Highlights

"Jones redefines investigative journalism by making spreadsheets as compelling as crime scenes." – Third Coast International Audio Festival Judging Panel

Crime journalist at CBS News, USA
USA
Crime
Politics
Community!

Juli McDonald brings two decades of investigative rigor to her role as CBS Boston's community affairs specialist. Her reporting lens focuses squarely on the intersection of municipal governance and neighborhood lived experiences.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Local Politics in Action: Tracks campaign finance irregularities and policy implementation gaps
  • Grassroots Development Conflicts: Specializes in mediating developer-resident dialogues
  • Innovative Public Safety Solutions: Highlights police-community partnership programs

Pitching Preferences

McDonald prioritizes sources who can provide longitudinal perspectives on Boston-area issues. A recent successful pitch involved a Roxbury community organizer who mapped gentrification patterns using historical property records and oral histories . Avoid national policy experts lacking hyperlocal implementation insights.

Crime journalist at Vanity Fair, USA
USA
Crime
Media
Law

Julie Miller (Vanity Fair) specializes in criminal justice reporting and behavioral health policy, with a focus on ethical dilemmas in high-stakes legal cases. Her work bridges granular courtroom analysis and systemic critiques, particularly in stories involving prosecutorial misconduct or addiction treatment gaps.

Pitching Priorities

  • **Legal System Dynamics**: Pitch stories that expose procedural irregularities or feature reform advocates. Example: Her 2025 Karen Read trial coverage dissected forensic evidence controversies.
  • **Behavioral Health Policy**: Seek data-rich angles on treatment access disparities or funding debates. Her 2017 NAATP award-winning survey remains a benchmark.
  • **Media Ethics**: Propose critiques of true crime sensationalism or analyses of jury sequestration challenges.

Awards Snapshot

  • Michael Q. Ford Journalism Award (2018) for addiction treatment research
  • Press Club of Cleveland Excellence Award (2021) for pandemic-era court reporting

Avoid pitching: Sports-related legal cases, international extradition dramas, or corporate IP disputes unless directly tied to public health or civil rights.

Crime journalist at Los Angeles Times, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

Keri Blakinger is a Pulitzer Prize-finalist journalist covering criminal justice for the Los Angeles Times, where she investigates law enforcement practices and incarceration narratives. A formerly incarcerated reporter, she brings unique insight to stories of systemic reform and carceral accountability.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Prison Conditions: Exposed Texas’ denial of dentures to inmates and California’s faulty DNA kits
  • Law Enforcement Oversight: Chronicled LASD’s $458M overtime crisis and subpoena defiance
  • Capital Punishment: Profiled Death Row culture through fantasy gaming and documentary film

Pitching Guidance

  • Seek: Stories bridging policy and human experience, especially from marginalized voices
  • Avoid: Crime scene rehashes without systemic analysis
  • Highlight: Underreported angles like prison arts programs or forensic budget audits

Notable Achievements

  • 2025 Oscar nomination for death penalty documentary I Am Ready, Warden
  • 2024 Pulitzer finalist for feature on Death Row D&D players
  • Catalyst for prison dental policy reforms in Texas and California

Crime journalist at The New Orleans Advocate, USA
USA
Crime
Law
Courts

This New Orleans-based journalist specializes in criminal justice reform and legal equity issues for The New Orleans Advocate. With a decade of experience across regional publications, she brings a data-rich yet human-centered approach to complex policy stories.

Pitching Insights

  • Preferred Topics:
    • Sentencing guideline reforms – Particularly those affecting nonviolent offenders
    • Disability rights enforcement – With emphasis on municipal compliance
  • Avoid:
    • Federal appellate cases without clear local impact
    • Corporate litigation or intellectual property disputes
"Effective pitches demonstrate how legal frameworks affect daily lives in measurable ways." – From 2024 media panel remarks

Crime journalist at Portland Press Herald, USA
USA
Crime
Law
Courts

Matt Byrne is a journalist at the Portland Press Herald, where he has covered crime, courts, and public safety since 2016. His work blends investigative rigor with a commitment to equity, often focusing on how legal systems affect marginalized communities.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Criminal Justice Reform: Analyzes arrest data and policing policies to identify systemic disparities.
  • High-Profile Trials: Provides nuanced courtroom reporting that explains legal strategies and precedents.
  • Public Safety Policy: Examines the real-world impacts of legislation on community well-being.

Pitching Insights

  • Lead with data Byrne prioritizes stories supported by datasets, particularly those revealing gaps between policy goals and outcomes.
  • Highlight systemic angles Individual cases gain traction when tied to broader institutional patterns or legislative debates.

Awards Snapshot

  • 2023 New England Press Association Finalist
  • Pulitzer Center Grant Recipient (2022)

Crime journalist at ABC News, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

Meredith Deliso is a breaking news reporter for ABC News Digital, covering high-impact crime and legal developments across the United States. With over 15 years of experience from hyperlocal to national outlets, she specializes in stories where public safety intersects with systemic policy challenges.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Federal Criminal Cases: Particularly human trafficking, drug networks, and interstate crime conspiracies
  • Negligence Litigation: Cases involving corporate/public entity accountability for disasters
  • Investigative Techniques: Forensic evidence analysis, digital documentation practices

Avoid Pitches About

  • Civil intellectual property disputes
  • Celebrity legal dramas without broader societal implications
  • Theoretical legislative proposals without active committee movement

Career Highlights

"Deliso’s work consistently demonstrates how granular reporting can drive macro-level change." – 2024 National Press Club Review
  • Generated 28M+ engagements for 2025 wildfire accountability coverage
  • Secured exclusive interviews with 14 federal prosecutors since 2023

Crime journalist at Houston Chronicle, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

Nicole Hensley is an investigative journalist at the Houston Chronicle specializing in crime, courts, and legal policy. With over a decade of experience, her work bridges breaking news and long-form analysis, particularly focused on:

  • Police Reform: Tracking implementation of body camera programs and training protocols
  • Community Impact: Documenting how crime patterns affect neighborhood development
  • Legal Intersections: Analyzing court decisions’ real-world consequences

Pitching Insights

  • Do: Connect systemic issues to human stories – her award-winning work on case backlogs featured both judges and defendants
  • Avoid: True crime-style narratives without policy implications
“The best stories show how institutions affect daily lives – that’s where real change begins.”

Recent accolades include the 2024 Texas Media Award for Public Service Journalism, honoring her investigative series that led to new evidence-handling protocols in three counties.

Crime journalist at Wired, USA
USA
Crime
Culture
Business

Raisa Habersham is an award-winning journalist now covering business and technology for Wired, with a focus on systemic inequities. Previously at the Miami Herald and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, her work blends crime reporting, cultural analysis, and historical context.

Key Coverage Areas

  • Tech Equity: Examines how emerging technologies impact marginalized communities’ economic opportunities
  • Historical Justice: Reports on the long-term effects of civil rights legal strategies
  • Community Resilience: Highlights innovative solutions by Black entrepreneurs and activists

Pitching Tips

  • Provide data showing geographical or demographic trends
  • Include interviews with both grassroots organizers and institutional stakeholders
  • Avoid narratives that treat systemic issues as individual failures

Crime journalist at The Denver Post, USA
USA
Crime
Courts
Law

Shelly Bradbury is a criminal justice reporter at The Denver Post, where she investigates systemic failures in law enforcement and forensic science. Her work blends rigorous data analysis with survivor-centered storytelling, earning accolades for exposing institutional biases.

Pitching Tips

  • Focus on Systemic Issues: Highlight patterns, not isolated incidents.
  • Center Marginalized Voices: Stories should amplify underrepresented perspectives in the justice system.
  • Avoid Sensationalism: Prioritize accountability over crime drama.

Recent Achievements:

  • 2024 Colorado Press Association Award for her series on forensic accountability.

Health journalist at Freelance, USA
USA
Health
Science
Crime

With 35+ years crafting award-winning narratives, Chris Johnston specializes in:

  • Mental Health Innovation: Community-driven care models, policy reform impacts
  • Medical Breakthroughs: Gene therapies, equitable access to treatment
  • Social Justice: Addiction recovery systems, trafficking prevention

Current Focus Areas

Johnston prioritizes pitches that reveal:

  • Underreported connections between urban design and public health
  • Novel applications of CRISPR technology in rare diseases
  • Grassroots alternatives to traditional mental healthcare

Achievement Highlights

  • 2023 ASJA Health Reporting Award
  • 12 Telly Awards for medical documentaries
  • Cited in 7 NIH grant proposals for community health research

Law journalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA
USA
Law
Crime
Courts

Chris Palmer is a journalist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he covers federal courts, white-collar crime, and public corruption. His reporting dissects complex legal issues, emphasizing accountability and systemic reform. Based in the U.S., Palmer’s work bridges the gap between judicial proceedings and public understanding, often influencing policy debates.

Pitching Tips

  • Federal Legal Trends: Highlight cases with broad societal implications, such as civil rights or corporate accountability.
  • Financial Misconduct: Propose stories on emerging fraud tactics or regulatory challenges.
  • Anti-Corruption Efforts: Focus on initiatives promoting governmental transparency or ethical reforms.

Palmer’s expertise lies in translating intricate legal concepts into compelling narratives, making him a critical voice in public interest journalism.

Entertainment journalist at LiveNOW from FOX (FOX Television Stations), USA
USA
Entertainment
Crime
Travel

As a senior digital content producer for FOX Television Stations, Chris Williams masterfully bridges breaking news urgency with in-depth cultural analysis. His work consistently demonstrates three core strengths:

  • Entertainment Industry Intelligence: Tracks awards cycles and streaming trends through economic and demographic lenses
  • Travel Sector Innovation: Examines transportation developments impacting middle-class consumers
  • Community-Centric Crime Reporting: Focuses on collaborative solutions rather than sensational narratives

Pitching Priorities

Williams prioritizes stories offering:

  • Exclusive datasets from entertainment or aviation industries
  • Case studies demonstrating policy changes reducing missing persons cases
  • Cross-industry analyses (e.g., how film tax credits affect local tourism)
"The best stories reveal how systems impact real lives - that's where truth meets relevance." - Chris Williams, 2024 NAB Conference

Courts journalist at Chicago Tribune, USA
USA
Courts
Crime
Law

Christy Gutowski is an investigative reporter and legal affairs specialist at the Chicago Tribune, where she has shaped national conversations about criminal justice reform since 2008. Her work sits at the intersection of courtroom procedure and systemic accountability, particularly focused on:

  • Historic Wrongful Convictions: Re-examining pre-DNA era cases through modern forensic lenses
  • Prosecutorial Oversight: Tracking patterns in misconduct allegations across jurisdictions
  • Cold Case Revival: Applying contemporary investigative techniques to dormant files

Pitching Insights:

  • Prefers data-rich narratives with minimum 5 verified sources
  • Prioritizes FOIA-obtained documents over anecdotal claims
  • Seeks stories with measurable legislative or policy impacts
"The most compelling pitches help us connect legal abstractions to human experiences in ways that withstand appellate scrutiny."

Politics journalist at The New York Times en Español, USA
USA
Politics
Crime
Media

With 40+ years documenting Latin America’s upheavals, Adams currently focuses on Haiti’s intersecting crises for The New York Times en Español and investigative platforms. His work combines crime data analysis with vivid narratives of institutional collapse.

Pitching Priorities

  • Haiti’s Humanitarian Infrastructure: Seeks stories about hospitals, schools, or NGOs adapting to gang control (e.g., clinics using motorcycle ambulances to bypass checkpoints).
  • Weapon Trafficking Forensics: Interested in ballistic matches linking U.S.-sourced firearms to specific massacres.
  • Media Survival Tactics: Profiles of journalists using encrypted apps or solar-powered equipment to maintain operations.

Avoid

  • Celebrity-focused activism without on-ground impact evidence
  • Broad policy statements from non-operational NGOs
  • Speculative solutions lacking implementation timelines

Awards: Maria Moors Cabot Prize (2002), Paul Hansell Distinguished Journalism Award (1999)

Law journalist at The Law Nerd, USA
USA
Law
Courts
Crime

As the leading independent legal analyst reaching 1.2M monthly viewers across platforms, Emily Baker represents a unique crossover between legal expertise and digital media savvy. Her work primarily focuses on:

  • Criminal Procedure Analysis
    Particularly Fourth Amendment issues and evidence handling
  • Legal Technology Integration
    From AI transcription tools to virtual reality courtroom prep
  • Prosecutorial Best Practices
    With emphasis on ethical decision-making and burnout prevention

Pitching Do's and Don'ts

Do:
  • Connect to active cases she's covering (track via Law Nerd app)
  • Provide raw court documents for her analysis
  • Suggest comparative legal history angles
Don't:
  • Pitch corporate law or IP cases
  • Assume basic legal knowledge in pitches
  • Overlook international law comparisons
"The best stories show how courtroom decisions ripple through real lives - that's where law becomes literature."

With her unique blend of prosecutorial experience and digital native storytelling, Baker continues redefining legal journalism for the streaming era. Her work demonstrates that complex legal analysis can drive both civic engagement and audience growth when presented with clarity and character.

Politics journalist at NBC News, USA
USA
Politics
Crime
Business

Currently based in New York as an NBC News correspondent, McLaughlin specializes in international crisis reporting with a focus on systemic failures and human resilience. Her two-decade career spans三大洲, with particular expertise in:

  • Disaster forensics: Architectural safety protocols, emergency response systems
  • Economic policy impacts: Tariff consequences, infrastructure investment outcomes
  • Cross-cultural narratives: Diaspora communities in crisis situations

Pitching Preferences

  • Do: Lead with data-driven angles on prevention rather than disaster aftermath
  • Don’t: Pitch celebrity-focused stories or local politics
  • Unique Opportunity: She frequently collaborates with academic researchers on long-form projects

Recent notable work includes her 2025 investigation into Caribbean nightclub safety standards, which influenced regional policy reforms. McLaughlin maintains particular interest in stories bridging business analytics with human rights considerations.

Tech journalist at Slate, USA
USA
Tech
Business
Crime

This Slate contributor specializes in stories where technology intersects with tangible human outcomes. Her reporting consistently answers three questions:

  • Who bears hidden costs? She profiles stakeholders often excluded from tech policy debates
  • How do systems actually work? Her technical explainers demystify forensic tools and digital rights management
  • Where’s the business angle? Even cultural pieces examine commercialization strategies

Pitch Preferences

  • Do: Lead with case studies showing technology’s real-world impacts
  • Don’t: Approach with pure policy analysis without human narratives

Recent work demonstrates particular interest in:

  • Decentralized authentication systems
  • Creative industry compensation models
  • Law enforcement technology adoption curves

Media journalist at The New York Times, USA
USA
Media
Fashion
Crime

Jessica Testa is a media correspondent for The New York Times specializing in digital content ecosystems, fashion subcultures, and the human stories behind platform algorithms. With roots in crime reporting and a flair for cultural anthropology, her work decodes how technology reshapes storytelling traditions.

Pitching Priorities

  • Creator Economy Insights: She seeks profiles of digital natives building unconventional media careers
  • Historical Fashion Cycles: Pitch stories connecting archival research to contemporary design trends
  • Platform Data Stories: Share exclusive engagement metrics revealing hidden consumption patterns

Achievements

  • 2024 ONA Media Innovation Award for predictive analysis of livestream journalism
  • Cited in 17 academic papers on digital semiotics and media consumption
  • Regular commentator on NPR’s “On the Media” analyzing platform democratization

Entertainment journalist at CNN, USA
USA
Entertainment
Fashion
Crime

As Senior News Editor for CNN's overnight U.S./Canada coverage, Joe Sutton combines hard news rigor with entertainment industry savvy. His dual expertise makes him uniquely positioned to handle:

  • Breaking Celebrity News: With emphasis on crime incidents and legacy analysis
  • Fashion Industry Crossovers: Particularly security tech and crisis PR
  • Community-Focused Crime Reporting: LGBTQ+ safety, venue security protocols

Pitching Priorities

  • Seeking: Verified witness accounts, luxury security case studies, unpublished celebrity archives
  • Avoiding: Speculative true crime theories, fast fashion features, music industry trends

Career Highlights

  • Two Peabody Awards for team coverage
  • 2016 GLAAD Media Award nomination
  • Developed CNN's overnight news triage system

RealEstate journalist at realtor.com, USA
USA
RealEstate
Crime
Food

Joyce Cohen (realtor.com, The New York Times) specializes in housing policy, criminal justice reform, and labor issues within the food industry. Her reporting combines investigative rigor with narrative-driven analysis of systemic inequities.

Pitching Priorities

  • Real Estate: Tenant rights cases with documented legal precedents
  • Crime: Post-conviction reviews featuring new evidence
  • Food: Wage theft patterns in urban restaurant chains
"Effective pitches provide court docket numbers alongside human sources willing to share their lived experiences."

Media journalist at Orlando Sentinel, USA
USA
Media
Crime
Courts

As dual Editor-in-Chief for Florida’s largest regional newspapers, Anderson oversees:

  • Investigative Teams: 12-member group specializing in public records analysis
  • Community Engagement: Monthly town halls addressing local information needs
  • Digital Innovation: AI-assisted FOIA processing tools developed in-house

Pitching Preferences

  • Public Records Expertise: “Always lead with document-based leads – we prioritize stories verifiable through primary sources.”
  • Solutions Framing: “Show me the policy impact before the human interest angle.”
  • Regional Specificity: “Every pitch must identify at least three Florida-specific stakeholders.”

Career Highlights

  • 34-year tenure with Tribune Publishing
  • Mentored 14 Pulitzer finalists since 2015
  • Pioneered collaborative investigations across 6 Florida newsrooms

Journalists and PR professionals should note Anderson’s particular interest in stories that intersect with First Amendment protections, particularly those involving access to government proceedings or educational institutions. Her recent editorial stance on AI ethics suggests growing interest in technology’s impact on civil liberties.

Courts journalist at CNN, USA
USA
Courts
Crime
Law

As CNN’s foremost legal correspondent, Polantz specializes in federal judicial processes and politically sensitive investigations. Her work sits at the intersection of three key areas:

  • Constitutional Crisis Reporting: Track record of explaining complex separation-of-powers conflicts through landmark cases
  • Documentary Evidence Analysis: Pioneered methods for contextualizing sealed court materials and classified records
  • Accountability Journalism: Built sources across DOJ, federal judiciary, and congressional oversight committees

Pitching Priorities

  • Federal Court Innovations:

Government journalist at Hickory Daily Record, USA
USA
Government
Politics
Crime

Based in Hickory, North Carolina, Kevin Griffin has built his career documenting the machinery of local governance for the Hickory Daily Record since 2016. His reporting portfolio emphasizes:

  • Policy Accountability: Tracking municipal budget allocations and their real-world impacts
  • Cultural Stewardship: Chronicling preservation efforts for Appalachian traditions
  • Public Safety: Analyzing crime trends through socioeconomic lenses

Pitching Priorities

  • Localized data showing policy outcomes (e.g., school funding changes affecting graduation rates)
  • Profiles of community leaders driving grassroots change
  • Investigations into underfunded public services

Achievements: 2023 Pulitzer Center grant recipient for rural broadband access investigation; cited in NC Municipal Policy Handbook 2024.

Courts journalist at The Dallas Morning News, USA
USA
Courts
Crime
Law

LaVendrick Smith is a courts and crime reporter at The Dallas Morning News, known for uncovering systemic inequities in the U.S. legal system. With bylines in The Washington Post and The Charlotte Observer, his work blends investigative rigor with empathetic storytelling.

Pitching Insights

  • Covers: Criminal justice reform, DUI legislation, court rulings impacting low-income communities.
  • Avoid: White-collar crime, cybercrime, or international legal affairs without local ties.
“Stories like that really emphasize why I became a journalist. It allows me to hold people accountable.” – LaVendrick Smith

Smith’s career highlights include a Business Wire Scholarship and contributions to national discourse on poverty criminalization . Pitch him data-driven stories with clear societal stakes, avoiding generic crime summaries.

Tech journalist at Bloomberg News, USA
USA
Tech
Crime
Business

Bloomberg’s San Francisco-based cyber correspondent Margi Murphy specializes in dissecting how technological overreach and corporate governance failures enable digital crime. Her work spans three core areas:

  • Breach Forensics: Traces data leaks from initial exploitation to black-market monetization (e.g., 23andMe’s genetic data sale)
  • Crypto Litigation: Analyzes regulatory clashes in decentralized finance ecosystems (Dogecoin influencer cases)
  • AI Manipulation: Documents next-gen disinformation tactics using deep learning tools

Pitching Priorities

  • Supply Chain Attacks: How vendors bypass enterprise security (see DarkSide pipeline coverage)
  • Biometric Fraud: Emerging theft methods beyond facial recognition
  • Cross-Jurisdictional Crypto: Cases testing SEC/FCA/ESMA regulatory boundaries

Murphy’s Gerald Loeb Award-winning work combines document forensics with blockchain analysis, setting industry standards for breach reporting. She avoids consumer gadget reviews and semiconductor manufacturing stories.

Entertainment journalist at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USA
USA
Entertainment
Media
Crime

With a career spanning investigative reporting and entertainment journalism, Mary Murphy offers unique insights into media evolution. Her current focus areas through USC Annenberg and top publications include:

  • Entertainment Industry Transitions: Track her analysis of legacy media’s streaming adaptations
  • Journalism Education: Note her research on newsroom digital transformation
  • High-Profile Legal Cases: Reference her continued true crime scholarship

Pitching Priorities

Successful outreach should:

“Connect technological innovation to human storytelling – Murphy champions narratives that reveal industry shifts through personal journeys.”

Achievement Highlights

  • 2019 LA Press Club finalist for commentary on reality TV’s political impact
  • Co-author of The New News, required reading in 40+ journalism programs
  • Board member shaping next-gen media education at Fordham/Marymount

Politics journalist at The Daily Beast, USA
USA
Politics
Entertainment
Crime

Matthew Young is a journalist at The Daily Beast, specializing in politics, entertainment, and crime. Based in the U.S., his work blends investigative rigor with cultural insight, making him a go-to voice for stories that intersect power and public interest.

Pitching Insights

  • Seek Transparency: He prioritizes stories that expose systemic inequities, particularly in governmental or entertainment institutions.
  • Avoid Speculation: Pitches relying on unnamed sources or unverified claims are less likely to resonate.

Books journalist at Penguin Random House, USA
USA
Books
Crime
Psychology

Michelle Gagnon has carved a unique niche at the intersection of crime fiction and social commentary. Currently published through Penguin Random House, her work spans:

  • Genre Innovation: Blending dark comedy with procedural rigor in novels like Killing Me
  • Representational Advocacy: Pioneering organic LGBTQ+ representation in thriller narratives
  • Psychological Depth: Informed by ongoing clinical psychology studies

Pitching Insights

Effective pitches should:

  • Reference her anthropological approach to crime scenes
  • Incorporate unexpected humor without undermining stakes
  • Demonstrate awareness of her critique of "trauma porn" in modern thrillers

Notable Achievements:

  • Daphne du Maurier Award finalist for Boneyard
  • 2023 IndieNext Pick recognizing crossover appeal
  • Frequent contributor to literary analysis in School Library Journal

Politics journalist at Votebeat, USA
USA
Politics
Law
Crime

This Votebeat journalist combines two decades of investigative rigor with a passion for democratizing ballot access. Her work sits at the crossroads of policy implementation and community trust-building.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Election Administration: Track record of exposing gaps between legislation and ground-level execution
  • Voting Rights Litigation: 43% of 2023 articles analyzed active court cases impacting ballot access
  • Election Security Protocols: Pioneering coverage of post-2020 voting machine certification processes

Pitching Insights

  • Localize National Trends: 91% of published pitches include hyperlocal Michigan case studies
  • Follow the Paper Trail: Successful stories often start with obscure meeting minutes or procurement docs
  • Humanize Systems: Her viral 2023 series profiled election workers battling death threats
“Democracy isn’t abstract—it’s the poll worker who adjusts magnifiers for visually impaired voters at 6 AM.” - Brand-Williams, 2024 SPJ keynote

Career Highlights

  • Mentored 27 Report for America journalists since 2019
  • 2023 NABJ Salute to Excellence Award for tribal voting rights series
  • Architect of Michigan’s first election worker mental health directory

Courts journalist at Law360, USA
USA
Courts
Crime
Law

Based in Washington state, Rachel Riley delivers incisive analysis of federal court decisions and corporate liability cases for Law360. With prior experience at the Everett Herald, she brings unique perspective to stories intersecting legal, regulatory, and workplace safety issues.

Core Coverage Areas

  • Consumer Protection Litigation: Tracks product liability suits with national regulatory implications
  • Military Policy Challenges: Analyzes constitutional tests to Defense Department regulations
  • Corporate Accountability: Investigates historical safety violations and their legal consequences

Pitching Preferences

  • Prefers data-driven stories with filed court documents
  • Seeks sources with direct involvement in active litigation
  • Prioritizes cases demonstrating systemic policy failures

Notable Achievements: - 2024 Northwest Journalists Association Investigative Reporting Award - Cited in 3 Congressional hearings on military policy reform - FOIA documentation cited in 17 academic papers

Law journalist at CalMatters, USA
USA
Law
Crime
Government

Rob Lewis brings military precision to civilian accountability reporting, currently serving as investigative reporter for CalMatters' award-winning Accountability Desk. His work bridges data journalism and human narrative, specializing in:

  • Government Systems Analysis: Tracking policy implementation failures through public records and longitudinal data
  • Law Enforcement Oversight: Documenting disciplinary processes and reform initiatives in public safety agencies
  • Institutional Decision-Making: Mapping bureaucratic processes that impact community safety and civil rights

Pitching Insights

Successful story leads often include:

  • Cross-referenced public datasets showing systemic trends
  • Whistleblower testimony with documentary evidence
  • Comparative analyses of policy outcomes across jurisdictions
"Real change requires understanding both the numbers and the human experiences behind them." - Lewis on his methodology

Achievement Highlights

  • 2025 National Press Club Award finalist for DMV investigation
  • Cited in 3 federal oversight reform proposals since 2020
  • Mentor to military veterans transitioning into journalism

Law journalist at Fresnoland, USA
USA
Law
Crime
Philanthropy

Rob Parsons brings 25 years of investigative rigor to Fresnoland, where he analyzes policy implementation through human-centered reporting. His current beats:

Core Coverage Areas

  • Law & Justice: Tracking legislation from drafting to enforcement
  • Poverty Alleviation: Evaluating program efficacy through longitudinal studies
  • Community Safety: Analyzing crime patterns and prevention strategies

Pitching Insights

  • Preferred Angles: Policy impacts on vulnerable populations, data-driven reform proposals
  • Avoid: Celebrity-focused stories, national politics without local nexus
"Parsons’ work demonstrates how policy sausage-making directly affects kitchen-table realities." - California Policy Institute Review

Career Highlights

  • 137 conflict zone dispatches for France 24
  • 28 municipal policy reforms influenced
  • 9 awards for investigative reporting

Law journalist at The Wall Street Journal, USA
USA
Law
Politics
Crime

As The Wall Street Journal's primary Justice Department correspondent, Gurman deciphers how federal policy decisions ripple through America's legal infrastructure. Her reporting portfolio emphasizes:

  • Structural Reforms: Tracking personnel changes and budget allocations across 94 US Attorney offices
  • Enforcement Trends: Quantitative analysis of prosecution patterns in civil rights and national security cases
  • Political Oversight: Documenting tensions between career officials and presidential appointees

Pitching Priorities

  • DOJ Policy Shifts Seek updates on memorandum revisions with comparative data across administrations
  • Federal Law Enforcement Tools Highlight new surveillance technologies or warrant protocols being tested in multiple districts
  • Civil Rights Enforcement Provide documentation of systemic biases in prosecution rates or sentencing recommendations

Achievement Highlights

  • 15+ years reporting on law enforcement for national outlets
  • Regular commentator on NPR and PBS NewsHour for DOJ analysis
  • Mentored 40+ journalists through the National Press Foundation

Law journalist at The Daily Journal of Commerce (Oregon), USA
USA
Law
Courts
Crime

Sam Tenney is a legal affairs reporter for The Daily Journal of Commerce (Oregon), specializing in courts, law enforcement accountability, and commercial litigation. His work bridges legal complexity and public interest, particularly in matters affecting judicial integrity and urban development.

Pitching Priorities

  • Judicial Ethics: Tenney tracks misconduct investigations and procedural reforms, as seen in his Brady list exposé.
  • Commercial Law Trends: Data-rich analyses of litigation patterns resonate with his approach.
  • Land Use Appeals: Focus on cases with implications for housing policy or environmental regulations.

Awards Snapshot

  • 2024 Oregon Media Award for Investigative Reporting
  • 2023 Legal Innovator Citation from the Oregon State Bar

Contacting Crime Journalists in USA

To make a lasting impact on Crime journalists in USA, it's crucial to go beyond a media list. Discover proven strategies for delivering the best pitch and executing a successful campaign in this section!

When and why to contact Crime journalists

When reaching out to Crime journalists in USA, a well-formulated strategy is key. With the high volume of pitches they receive, it's crucial to have a unique story that is focused on Crime or a related subject. Avoid getting mired in technical minutiae, and instead, expand your scope to include the larger implications of your story within the Crime industry. By studying your target journalists and crafting your pitch to align with their specific interests, you increase the likelihood of sparking their interest. Remember, your goal should be to present a story that not only informs but also contributes to the broader Crime discourse.

How to contact Crime Journalists

For those in search of Technology journalists in Australia in 2025, the easiest way to connect is by signing up here and downloading the latest contact list. With an annual update, we ensure that you always have the most accurate and reliable contacts at your disposal.

How to write a Crime press release

Pitching Etiquette to Crime journalists

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Frequently Asked Questions

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