The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Justin Fenton

Justin

Justin Fenton is an investigative reporter for the Baltimore Banner. He previously spent 17 years at the Baltimore Sun, covering the criminal justice system. His book, "We Own This City: A True Story of Crime, Cops and Corruption," was released by Random House in 2021 and became an HBO miniseries. He was part of the Pulitzer Prize finalist team for coverage of the death of Freddie Gray, and was a two-time finalist for the national Livingston Award for Young Journalists for an investigation showing how police were discarding rape complaints at the highest rate in the country as well as a five-part narrative series inside a homicide investigation. He is an Anne Arundel County native, a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and lives in Baltimore.

The latest from Justin Fenton

Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
Mayor: IronBirds’ era at Ripken Stadium is likely ending
Aberdeen Mayor Patrick McGrady says the IronBirds will likely leave his city’s Ripken Stadium amid a long-simmering battle over costs.
Many vacant houses still stand in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood on March 19, 2025. Empty and vacant lots replace them, but residents say it hasn't improved the area.
Freddie Gray’s death led to promises for big change. For many, Baltimore looks stubbornly the same.
After the death of Freddie Gray, promises were made to change Baltimore for the better. Ten years later, the city looks the same, many say.
Prosecutors ban Baltimore officer from testifying after years of complaints
Police Det. Calvin Moss’ inclusion on the courtroom ban list makes him the latest of nearly a dozen officers so mistrusted by prosecutors they cannot be counted on to help bring criminals to justice in court.
Attorney Stephen L. Snyder, center, arrives for his sentencing hearing at the Edward Garmatz United States Courthouse in Baltimore on Wednesday.
Former lawyer Stephen L. Snyder sentenced to home confinement, probation: ‘My own worst enemy’
A federal judge sentenced former top malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder to three years of probation with six months of home confinement for attempting to extort the University of Maryland Medical System.
Police commissioner Richard Worley on site of a shooting on the 1400 block of East North Avenue, at the Eastside District Court, on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Baltimore police commissioner finally moves out of a hotel and into city home
Worley had been living in Anne Arundel County as deputy commissioner when he was appointed police commissioner in 2023.
Attorney Stephen L. Snyder, at right, leaves court in November.
Feds seek 3 years in prison for malpractice attorney Stephen L. Snyder
Snyder is set to be sentenced in April after he was convicted of trying to extort the University of Maryland Medical System for $25 million.
Ex-priest who helped report notorious abuser now charged with sex abuse from 1990s
A former Catholic priest who played a key role in bringing down the notorious child rapist John Joseph Merzbacher has been charged with sex offenses.
Kelly O. Hayes has been named interim U.S. Attorney for Maryland.
New interim U.S. Attorney for Maryland selected
Kelly O. Hayes has been the chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s southern district office in Greenbelt since 2021.
Justin Tucker’s accusers: 16 massage therapists from 8 spas
The women, most of whom do not know each other, detailed similar experiences at Baltimore-area spas. They told people close to them around the time the incidents occurred.
7 more massage therapists accuse Ravens’ Justin Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior
The new accusers provided similar details about Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker that The Baltimore Banner had not previously reported.
Erek L. Barron, U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, flanked by Baltimore law enforcement and political leaders, speaks at a press conference in August 2022.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek Barron resigns amid rapid change at Trump’s DOJ
Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron resigned Wednesday, stepping down amid rapid changes to the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump.
Ravens’ Justin Tucker faces new allegations from 3 massage therapists
Three additional massage therapists are accusing Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Ravens' Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by six massage therapists
Women say Justin Tucker repeatedly exposed his genitals and, in three instances, apparently left ejaculate on tables after massages.
Dazhon Darien arrives to Baltimore County Circuit Court on Monday, January 27, 2025. Darien was arrested on a federal warrant upon arrival.
Suspect in Pikesville High AI case arrested on child porn charges
Dazhon Darien, 32, is now charged in U.S. District Court in Baltimore with sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child pornography.
A Baltimore Police detective’s uniform patch is seen on his shoulder while he observes the crowd in between innings during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics held at Camden Yards on Wednesday, April 12. The Orioles beat the Athletics, 8-7, to win the series.
Judge OKs early release for dying ex-Baltimore gun task force detective Hersl
Federal prosecutors are now supporting early prison release for former Baltimore Police Gun Trace Task Force Detective Daniel Hersl, citing his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Man confesses to decade-old killing of 2 people whose bodies were never found, police say
Scott Barnett, who is from Dundalk and told police he has been homeless, said he wasn’t sure of the victims’ names, but detectives pieced together their identities.
Cal Ripken Jr. broke up with his hometown baseball team. Now the IronBirds’ future is uncertain.
The ‘Iron Man’ moved a minor league club to Aberdeen in 2002, but after years of tension, Cal Ripken Jr. sold his namesake team.
A portrait of Mario Mireles Ruiz, by Jeff Huntington is unveiled on the one year anniversary of his death on June 11, 2024.
Annapolis mass shooting suspect seeks access to FBI probe into victims
Charles Robert Smith stands accused of shooting six, killing three. He says it was self-defense.
Parishioners hold candles during a prayer walk in the Irvington neighborhood of Baltimore, Md. on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Baltimore homicides and shootings fall to lowest levels since 2015
Baltimore Police say 201 people were killed in 2024, with more than 400 people shot and wounded.
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates speaks to reporters after sentencing for Gordon Staron, who was convicted of killing a random homeless man in East Baltimore and then his deaf cell mate at Central Booking.
Staron sentenced in killings of deaf cellmate at Baltimore jail, homeless man
Gordon Staron, 35, of Abingdon in Harford County, was sentenced on Thursday in Baltimore Circuit Court for the murders of Keith Bell and Javarick Gantt.
Load More Stories
Oh no!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com.