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AW1Ed | May 10, 2026 | 9 Comments

Chicago man exonerated of murder back in jail

Story by Safia Samee Ali
A Chicago man who used part of a $25 million settlement from his wrongful murder conviction lawsuit to help rebuild his street gang is facing legal trouble again after being charged with gun offenses.

Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez gained notoriety after being charged as an adult when he was 13 years old in a gang-related shooting death in 1993. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison, but was exonerated after spending 16 years behind bars. Several nonprofit organizations and pro bono attorneys fought for his release.

Jimenez later sued the city of Chicago and its police department and secured one of the largest police misconduct settlements in the city’s history.

But Jimenez seemingly squandered his freedom and his money and went on to have several brushes with the law on multiple weapons-related convictions and charges.

His latest case stems from a February incident in which he was charged with felony gun possession and resisting arrest, according to court records.

Police said officers arrested Jimenez after recovering a loaded stolen handgun from the path where he allegedly fled on foot.

Years after his exoneration, Jimenez used millions of dollars from his settlement to help rebuild the Simon City Royals street gang, according to reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times.

He spent the money in part on weapons and recruiting new members, the outlet reported.

Jimenez was previously sentenced to more than nine years in prison for a 2015 shooting that prosecutors said was captured on cellphone video.

Authorities said Jimenez was driving a convertible Mercedes when he stopped and fired a handgun at a man’s legs while another alleged gang member who was in the car with him recorded the incident.

Police later recovered the cellphone after Jimenez crashed during a chase.

While in jail, Jimenez was also charged after allegedly fighting other inmates.