{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreibslxeqkem6udjae2i6b5y67x2h2xmh2yxo3b5mmebeb4ukaz2iqi",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mldnmdggwgg2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiebkfjwq4oiauxp63hxsjhihchejtpmyrwkf72g7dzt52n2txg2gu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 262764
  },
  "path": "/the-watchdogs/2026/05/08/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-motive-podcast-wrongful-conviction-chicago-gangs-earl-casteel-simon-city-royals",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-08T10:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez — who squandered a multimillion-dollar wrongful conviction judgment by trying to expand the power of his street gang — is back in legal trouble, facing a new gun charge.</p><p>Nearly his entire life has been an odyssey through the criminal legal system, a story that's <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/tj-jimenez\" target=\"_blank\" >captured headlines in Chicago for years</a>.</p><p>Jimenez was arrested at 13 for a killing he said he didn’t commit. In 2009, at the age of 30, he was exonerated after spending 16 years in prison. And in 2012, he <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2012/1/25/18532722/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-25-million-wrongful-conviction-chicago-police-department\" target=\"_blank\" >won $25 million in a lawsuit</a> that accused Chicago police detectives of framing him.</p><p>At the time, it was a historic verdict. But he threw away his freedom.</p><p>In 2015, he and a friend were riding in Jimenez’s Mercedes when <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/4/20/18386300/thaddeus-jimenez-millionaire-gang-fantasy-blew-up-west-side-no-love-money-gang\" target=\"_blank\" >he shot a man</a> as his sidekick recorded everything on a cellphone. Eerily, they were blasting a hymn, \"Ave Maria,\" on the car stereo. Zach Fardon, the U.S. attorney at the time, called the video “barbaric, cruel, disturbing, numbing to watch.”</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ad0000\" name=\"image-ad0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4c0d691/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/804a2c1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad7cd02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez is caught on a cellphone video shooting Earl Casteel in the legs on Aug. 17, 2015 in Irving Park on the Northwest Side. Jimenez was arrested minutes later.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad7cd02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/efb8e91/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad7cd02/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1024x575+0+97/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fbd%2Fd1%2F2577fd72049b5ee545c765f3ac39%2Fwatchdogs-041617-01-68226767.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez was caught on a cellphone video shooting Earl Casteel in the legs in the Irving Park neighborhood on Aug. 17, 2015. Jimenez was arrested minutes later.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>U.S. District Court evidence</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Jimenez was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/tj-jimenez/2023/7/19/23799564/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-motive-podcast-earl-casteel-video-shooting-delayed-justice-ave-maria\" target=\"_blank\" >sentenced to 12 years in federal prison</a> and received the same sentence in state prison — both for gun convictions related to the 2015 shooting.</p><p>He told the judge in his federal case that he was broke after going on a spending spree with his lawsuit winnings.</p><p>Jimenez has completed his sentence in those federal and state cases, which were served simultaneously.</p><p>But now he’s facing new gun possession charges stemming from a Feb. 16 arrest in Homewood.</p><p>Police were called to an office building in the south suburb. Jimenez, wearing a ski mask, was pacing in and out of the building, according to a witness who called the cops.</p><p>When the officers arrived, Jimenez ran away with his hand on his waistband, they said.</p><p>The officers said they stopped him at a gas station and found a loaded, stolen pistol on the route where he ran away. They also said surveillance footage showed him tossing an object where the gun was found.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-ed0001\" name=\"image-ed0001\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5a28b42/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f11549/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9760e6d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"T.J. Jimenez.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9760e6d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed2a495/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9760e6d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/624x350+0+59/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F1a%2Fa3%2F77841b3787aeb3e2a723456bb145%2Ft-j-jimenez-mug.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>T.J. Jimenez</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Cook County sheriff’s office booking photo</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Cook County Judge Luciano Pacini Jr. ordered Jimenez detained, saying, “electronic monitoring is not given to a person who is violent in nature and cannot follow orders.”</p><p>Jimenez is in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections for a violation of his parole in the 2015 shooting case, an official said. Jimenez couldn’t be reached for comment.</p><p>His first lawyer in the Homewood gun case, Steve Greenberg, wouldn't talk about the case. Neither would the Cook County public defender’s office, which took over Jimenez's legal representation on April 27.</p><p>Jimenez, 47, was the subject of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.wbez.org/motive/2019/09/20/episode-1-a-shooting-from-a-mercedes\" target=\"_blank\" >a 2019 podcast</a> produced by the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ called “Motive.” He declined to be interviewed for the podcast, which, through family members, his lawyers and others, explored his tragic story.</p><p>People who knew him said he spent his wrongful-conviction fortune on his gang, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-gangs\" target=\"_blank\" >the Simon City Royals</a>, and recruited new members on the West Side, rewarding them with trips, money and luxury cars in return for loyalty to him. In the corner of West Humboldt Park where his recruits lived, gang-related shootings surged, the podcast found.</p><p>Earl Casteel, the man Jimenez shot in 2015, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/12/10/18351743/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-simon-city-royals-gang-wrongful-convictionl-windfall-shooting-victim-payout\" target=\"_blank\" >won a $6 million judgment</a> in a lawsuit against Jimenez for the bullet wounds he suffered to his legs. But Casteel and his family never collected the money. Casteel <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/motive-podcast/2021/6/25/22533433/motive-podcast-earl-casteel-murder-suicide-cecilia-bonilla\" target=\"_blank\" >killed his wife and himself</a> in 2021.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-6d0000\" name=\"image-6d0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/efe577f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2f256d4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a0db85d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Jose Roman.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a0db85d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d80d152/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a0db85d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/794x446+0+131/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fd0%2F25%2Fa24c9cfcecc9b5346d5236f14990%2Fscreen-shot-2017-03-01-at-5-32-18-pm.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Jose Roman pointing a gun.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>U.S. District Court evidence</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p>Jose Roman, the friend riding with Jimenez when he shot Casteel, has also served a prison sentence in connection with the 2015 shooting. He’s back in federal custody after a judge found he violated the conditions of his parole.</p><p>The violations included running a red light on a motorbike and speeding away from police in 2024 in Prospect Heights. He also repeatedly contacted a woman he was supposed to stay away from. He was accused of pistol-whipping her, federal prosecutors told a judge.</p><p>In January, the judge sentenced Roman to two years in federal custody. He’s living in a halfway house in the suburbs, records show.</p><h3><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/4/20/18386300/thaddeus-jimenez-millionaire-gang-fantasy-blew-up-west-side-no-love-money-gang\" target=\"_blank\" ><b>READ MORE</b></a></h3><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-470000\" name=\"image-470000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/87a74b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f511da0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7d0b5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"TJ Jimenez Chicago Sun-Time page 1 April 16, 2017\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7d0b5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ca5f7d5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7d0b5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1198x672+0+253/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F4d%2Fb1%2F5d51821749aeb74439147305e19e%2Ftj-cover.png\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2017/4/20/18386300/thaddeus-jimenez-millionaire-gang-fantasy-blew-up-west-side-no-love-money-gang\" target=\"_blank\" >Click here</a> to read the Sun-Times April 16, 2017, Watchdogs investigation of Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez.</p></figcaption></div> </figure> </div> </div><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2012/1/25/18532722/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-25-million-wrongful-conviction-chicago-police-department\" target=\"_blank\" >Man wins $25 million for wrongful conviction in 1993 slaying</a> </li> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/tj-jimenez/2023/7/19/23799564/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-motive-podcast-earl-casteel-video-shooting-delayed-justice-ave-maria\" target=\"_blank\" >Thaddeus ‘T.J.’ Jimenez, ‘Motive’ podcast subject, finally sentenced in viral video shooting</a> </li> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/2016/12/10/18351743/thaddeus-tj-jimenez-simon-city-royals-gang-wrongful-convictionl-windfall-shooting-victim-payout\" target=\"_blank\" >Gang member loses $6M of wrongful-conviction windfall to shooting victim</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p></p>",
  "title": "T.J. Jimenez, 'Motive' podcast figure who blew $25M from Chicago wrongful-conviction payout, is back in jail",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-08T10:30:22.743Z"
}