FCPD Daily News Blog : FCPD Investigation Leads To Indictment Of Former Officer

Press release from the FCPD Daily News Blog:

July 20, 2021

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis stood with the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County Steve Descano on Tuesday to announce felony charges against a former Fairfax County Police Officer.

FCPD was notified of the officer’s criminal misconduct on Dec. 13, 2019. Our Internal Affairs Bureau immediately acted and relieved the officer of duty, stripping him of all police powers. Our Major Crimes Bureau initiated the criminal investigation.

“Trust is the cornerstone of any Police Department. I have no tolerance for police officers who abuse that sacred trust,” Davis said. “This former police officer allegedly took advantage of a teenager, and he did so in and out of a police uniform — a uniform meant to symbolize public safety.”

Watch the press conference here.

See below for a press release issued by the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, click HERE for the full indictment.

7/20/21 Contact: Ben Shnider, (571) 460-6711

STATEMENT FROM FAIRFAX COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY STEVE DESCANO ON INDICTMENT OF FORMER OFFICER JOHN GRIMES FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH A MINOR WHO WAS A PUBLIC SAFETY CADET

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA – Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano issued the following statement regarding the indictment of former Fairfax County Police Officer John Grimes for engaging in sexual misconduct with a minor in the Fairfax County Police Public Safety Cadet Program:

“Between the dates of November 12th, 2019 and December 16th, 2019 former Fairfax County Police Officer John Grimes is alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in the Fairfax County Police Public Safety Cadet Program over whom he maintained a supervisory relationship.

Upon reviewing the investigation into this matter, I determined that it was appropriate to charge Mr. Grimes with three counts of custodial indecent liberties and a grand jury agreed. Today I am therefore announcing the indictment of John Grimes on these charges.

Crimes in which young people in our community are taken advantage of by those in positions of authority within the criminal justice system are particularly egregious and threaten our community’s confidence in the system. I will therefore always act to hold those responsible for such heinous crimes accountable. I am hopeful that this indictment will serve as a first step toward justice in this case.”

A criminal indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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This press release was produced by the FCPD Daily News Blog. The views expressed here are the author’s own.