Repeat Offender Convicted of Breaking into Cousin’s Home

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Career Gang Unit obtained a conviction against a repeat offender who broke into his cousin’s house and stole money.  Darrick Ashley Grider, 44, was convicted of Aggravated Burglary.  Judge Scott Green set the case for sentencing on February 27 where Grider faces ten to fifteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a one-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Marissa Pecora explained to the jury that on August 8, 2022, Ofc. Charles Kuykendall with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a burglary call at a residence off Western Avenue.  At the scene, Ofc. Kuykendall learned from the victim that her cousin, Grider, had broken into her house, ransacked the kitchen, and stolen money that was on the counter.  The KCSO Forensics Unit responded to photograph the scene and collect fingerprints.  Examination of the fingerprints corroborated the victim’s identification of Grider as the burglar.

“This repeat offender will now serve at least a decade in prison for his most-recent home invasion,” said DA Allen.

Grider has nine prior felony convictions from other jurisdictions, including three prior convictions for Aggravated Burglary.  Aggravated Burglary is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between ten and fifteen years because of Grider’s prior criminal history.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Sheri Burkett aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.