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Baltimore Grand Jury Indicts Brandon Grimes in Alleged Fake Exoneration Scheme

Prosecutors say the Conviction Integrity Unit detected a forged ballistics report before any release or compensation.

Overview

  • Grimes, 40, who is serving life for the 2007 murder of Detective Troy Lamont Chesley Sr., was indicted on two counts of identity fraud, attempted felony theft over $100,000, two counts of evidence tampering, and obstruction of justice.
  • Charging documents allege he attached a purported ballistics report labeled “Exhibit 1A” to a 2024 actual-innocence petition, claiming the same gunshot struck both him and Chesley.
  • Investigators say the report was fabricated, citing inconsistent formatting, mismatched property numbers, and forged firearms examiner signatures.
  • Prosecutors contend the scheme sought approximately $1,462,896 in wrongful-imprisonment compensation, pointing to recorded prison calls from 2018 to 2023 discussing falsified evidence and promised payouts.
  • Grimes remains incarcerated at North Branch Correctional Institution and is expected to face the new charges in Baltimore, with prosecutors emphasizing he is presumed innocent.