Former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in federal prison for conspiracy to violate civil rights and other charges, including distributing anabolic steroids and obstructing justice, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Wenger, 33, was convicted by a federal jury earlier this year and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals in September.
This case arises from a broader investigation that has similarly resulted in the indictment of ten current and former officers from Antioch and Pittsburg on charges ranging from civil rights violations to fraud. As reported by Hoodline, the misconduct involves planning violence against individuals, taking "trophies" from their alleged victims, and attempting to cover up these acts by falsifying official documents. High-ranking Antioch PD officials, including now-retired Chief Steven Ford, have been held to scrutiny amidst calls for extensive reforms within the department.
Much of the evidence against Wenger focused on his abusive use of authority and flagrant disregard for the rights of those he was sworn to protect. The court documents presented at trial revealed that Wenger and co-conspirator officers engaged in communications about using excessive force, which included details such as one instance where Wenger requested fellow officers to "[p]lease find this guy[] and f--- him in the a--." This aggressive stance festered into an attitude that eschewed accountability, leading to further acts of violence and efforts to obstruct justice by deleting evidence from his cellular phone just before authorities could seize it.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian made it clear that Wenger's actions were a betrayal of the public trust, asserting, "Devon Wenger and his co-conspirators believed the badges they wore gave them a license to break the law. They were wrong." Meanwhile, Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez was quoted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, highlighting the commitment to hold accountable those who "violate the civil rights of others and betray the public’s trust." Wenger now faces the consequences of his actions — a prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release. A restitution hearing has been scheduled for late January 2026 to address the harm caused to victims.
