Hi, and thanks for stopping by. I’m a journalist who believes in the power of reporting and writing to bring more integrity and empathy into the world.

I recently pitched and led an investigation that for the first time exposed how hundreds of U.S. police officers have sexually abused children with little accountability. This project stemmed from my years covering child sex trafficking in America. I know how hard these issues are to face, and frankly, how busy people are. So I combine investigative reporting with narrative storytelling to write worth-your-time, can’t-put-down, send-to-your-group-chat kinds of pieces. I’ve delved into conspiracy theories, hate crimes, mass shootings and other injustices. I’ve also made time to hunt for stolen eggs, befriend a hyperpolyglot and pet some very good dogs.

With trust in the media at an all-time low, I care deeply about doing this work with sensitivity and transparency. I am the recipient of the Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics and the Collier Award for Ethics in Journalism. I’m a National Magazine Award finalist, a three-time finalist for the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists and a proud member of the Pulitzer-winning team of Washington Post reporters who were on the ground during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

These days, I’m reporting from Ohio, trying to get to the Heart of it All. You can reach me at mjessicacontrera@gmail.com.