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Top Crime Journalists in USA (2025)

Crime Journalists - USACrime Journalists - USACrime Journalists - USACrime Journalists - USA

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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Annie Sweeney

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

Brad Heath

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

Charles Rabin

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.

Diane J. Cho

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

Evan Sernoffsky

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.

Hayley Williams

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

James Queally

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.

Jonathan Jones

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

Julie McDonald

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.

Julie Miller

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.

Keri Blakinger

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

Marie Fazio

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

Matt Byrne

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)

Meredith Deliso

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

Nicole Hensley

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.

Raisa Habersham

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

Shelly Bradbury

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.
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