Former Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger was found guilty by a jury on April 30, 2025. Herald file photo
Convicted April 30, Devon Wenger claims innocence,calls them “bogus charges against me,”awaits sentencing, suing APDfor retaliation, discrimination, hostile workplace harassment
Also faces trial in July for deprivation of rights under color of law
All part of FBI investigation of multiple Antioch, Pittsburg police officers
OAKLAND – A federal jury on April 30, 2025, convicted former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids and one count of obstruction of justice. The jury’s verdict follows a three-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.
Wenger, 33, was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Wenger conspired with Daniel Harris, who was at the time also a police officer with the Antioch Police Department, to distribute anabolic steroids to a third individual, and then deleted evidence of this conspiracy from his cellular phone.
“Instead of upholding the law, as he swore an oath to do, Devon Wenger conspired with a fellow officer to sell illegal anabolic steroids. When the FBI arrived at his home to investigate him, he then doubled down by destroying evidence of his crime. Crimes like these by a police officer have a corrosive effect on the public’s trust in law enforcement. Thanks to today’s jury conviction, Mr. Wenger will now face sentencing for his violations of law,” said Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins.
“When Devon Wenger broke the law and then tried to cover his tracks, he didn’t just commit a crime — he betrayed the trust of the community he was sworn to serve. After learning the FBI was outside his home with a search warrant, he chose to delete evidence rather than come clean. That kind of misconduct corrodes public confidence in law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. “Today’s guilty verdict makes clear that the FBI will hold accountable anyone who abuses the authority and responsibility of public service.”
According to the evidence presented at trial, in February 2022, Wenger set up the sale of anabolic steroids, a Schedule III controlled substance, between Harris and a third individual. Harris was also charged in this case and pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on Sept. 17, 2024. Law enforcement officials seized the package of anabolic steroids destined for Harris before they arrived, although Wenger continued to communicate with Harris about supplying the third individual with anabolic steroids, including offering to give this individual some of Wenger’s own while they waited for the delayed package.
On March 23, 2022, at 8:03 a.m., the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began calling and sending text messages to Wenger telling him that they were outside of his residence with a warrant. It was not until 9:00 a.m. that Wenger appeared for the FBI to seize Wenger’s cellular phone. Later forensic examination of that device showed that specific entries related to the anabolic steroid distribution conspiracy had been deleted: specifically, all text messages between Wenger and Harris, all text messages between Wenger and the third individual he was trying to supply with steroids, the contacts for both Harris and the third individual, and recent call log entries for Wenger’s most recent phone calls with the third individual.
The jury convicted Wenger of all counts charged in this case: one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) and one count of destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations (obstruction of justice) in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519.
Wenger is scheduled to appear on May 6, 2025, for a hearing on whether to remand him to custody pending sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids count and 20 years in prison on the obstruction of justice count. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office. This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.
Faces Trial for Separate Charges of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law
Separately, Wenger appeared before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White on May 6, 2025, for a status conference in United States v. Wenger, 23-cr-00269, which charges Wenger with one count of conspiracy against rights in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241 and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242. The United States v. Wenger, 23-cr-00269 case is set for trial on July 21, 2025.
Wenger Claims Innocence, Suing APD
When asked for a response, Wenger wrote, “Unfortunately I cannot give a full statement. This is all I can say, I am innocent. I am a whistleblower facing a whistleblower retaliation prosecution to silence me. I am being framed on fabricated and tampered evidence. Yes, the FBI and the US Attorneys on this case have fabricated and tampered with evidence, in addition to misrepresenting evidence and even lying to the court, and the public. They have been gone so far as to manipulate and suppress the documents that prove this (including exculpatory evidence) in the metadata data of their own discovery documents in order to push their false narrative. The truth will surface. That’s all I can say.
“If you have any further questions, please contact my mom. She has all of the proof and evidence to validate my claims.
“In addition to this we have filed a civil lawsuit against APD which outlines everything they put me through which led to these bogus charges against me.”
Charges Are Part of Larger FBI Investigation of Antioch, Pittsburg Police Officers
The charges against Wenger were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud. The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:
Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
Morteza Amiri
Convicted at trial 8/8/24, remanded to custody pending sentencing, which is set for 6/3/25
Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash
Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24
Samantha Peterson
Sentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24
Ernesto Mejia-Orozco
Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez
Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24
Obstruction23-cr-00267
18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Timothy Manly Williams
Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 8/19/25
Anabolic Steroid Distribution23-cr-00268
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)
Daniel Harris
Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Devon Wenger
Convicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending
Civil Rights23-cr-00269
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Morteza Amiri
Convicted at trial 3/14/25 on counts 2 and 5, remanded to custody pending sentencing, which is set for 6/3/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Eric Rombough
Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 8/19/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Devon Wenger
Trial 7/21/25
Anabolic Steroid Distribution24-cr-00157
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)
Patrick Berhan
Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24
Bank Fraud24-cr-00502
18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud)
Daniel Harris
Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of California
Announcing our 2025 Summer Days Fashion Show. Reserve your tickets at rivertowntreasurechest@gmail.com. Space fills up FAST! For more information call (510) 909-4618.
New Year and new resolutions! Make one to create a living trust. Even though you may have plenty of time you never know what life has planned. Many people mistakenly believe that if they have a Will the estate will not go through probate, this is patently wrong. Your heirs will go through probate and pay the state a hefty sum to make a difficult period in your family lives more difficult.
The probate process in California can be expensive. The fees for Probate are based on the gross value of the assets and are a tiered rate according to the value of the estate, so if you have a house worth $500,000 but there is a $480,000 loan on the property you would potentially owe the state $13,000 for the probate tax leaving the heirs with $7000. In addition there are attorney fees, Executor fees, filling fees, and miscellaneous court fees!
The process for a probate is not quick and can easily take a year or more. If there are disputes, problems or a backed up court system, it can take much longer delaying closure for the family and draining money from the estate for expense such as a mortgage, other loans and credit cards.
Most of the deceased person’s property has to go through probate in an estate currently over $150,000, whether there is a will or not (intestate). However, there are several instances where property and assets would avoid the process, such as assets that are held in joint tenancy or with a designated beneficiary.
You may be asking by now, “How do I avoid this?” I would not recommend transferring title to your heirs prior to death because this also will transfer the cost basis the profit of the item and create a tax burden for the heirs. A second option that helps avoid this is a deed on death which activates, on passing and can avoid the step up tax basis. The third option is a living trust, the cost basis is the value at time of death and therefore the heirs may have limited or no tax liability.
Real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles can be held in a living trust. A typical trust is the Family Trust and can be an individual or a couple who are the Trustees and, with their children or heirs, the Beneficiaries. Those who establish the trust and transfer their property into it are known as Trustors or Settlors. A successor trustee designated by the trust creator will execute the wishes of the Trustees via a will contained in the trust. No contest clauses are placed in trusts as a caution to potential challengers. Beneficiaries under the will or trust who challenge the document lose or forfeit their inheritance under the document, this discourages would-be challengers from contesting the document.
A Living Trust provides you with peace of mind now by setting a clear plan and knowing that your estate will be handled exactly as you wish later. It will also provide comfort to your loved ones during an already stressful time because you’ve laid everything out for them and eliminated stressful guesswork and government bureaucracy.
The purpose of this article is to help get you thinking and start a conversation with your family and appropriate legal counsel. I am not an estate planner nor an attorney. This article is not meant as tax or legal advice. The examples I have given are merely illustrative and should not be relied upon. You should always consult with a tax consultant and/or lawyer for your specific circumstances.
Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contacted by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www. CallPatrick.com. An independently owned and operated office. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160. Equal Housing Opportunity.
According to The Leapfrog Group’s biannual Hospital Safety Grades report, 15 Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California this spring received A grades including: Antioch, Fresno, Manteca, Modesto, Oakland, Roseville, Redwood City, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, and Vacaville.
“The safety of our patients is our top priority, and it’s at the heart of everything we do,” said Diablo Service Area Senior Vice President and Area Manager Pam Galley. “We are incredibly proud of our physicians, nurses and health care professionals who make a difference every day.”
Leapfrog reviews hospital clinical data, assigning hospitals grades based on approximately two dozen measures that analyze patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections.
“Our caring health care professionals work diligently to keep our patients safe while providing outstanding care,” said Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center Physician in Chief Sharon Mowat, MD. “Kaiser Permanente Antioch has received an “A” grade since 2022 – three years straight, fall and spring. We are committed to keeping everyone safe, whether they receive their care here or work here. Safety is our number one priority and goes hand in hand with our high quality of care.”
The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades to nearly 3,000 hospitals throughout the United States. The grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits, released its Hospital Safety Gradesafter examining publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections at U.S. hospitals. The report includes data collected by national health care organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Scores are calculated based on publicly available measures, and hospitals are then assigned A, B, C, D or F grades for their safety records. The grades are released as a free resource to help patients and their families make informed health care decisions.
Kaiser Permanente is one of America’s leading integrated health care providers and serves 12.5 million members. Nationally, 27 of the 39 Kaiser Permanente hospitals that were eligible for a grade, or more than two-thirds of our hospitals, received a Leapfrog Safety A grade. In contrast, less than one-third of the nation’s other hospitals received an A rating.
For more information and a complete list of the hospital safety grades, visit Leapfrog.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org
Miss Contra Costa County Fair to be chosen Thursday, May 17
Discounted Presale Tickets & Carnival Unlimited Ride Wristband pass on sale now
Fair Hours: 12:00 Noon-9:30pm Daily. (Gates Close at 9pm)
Midway of Fun Carnival Hours: Noon-10pm Daily except Saturday, Noon-11pm (Carnival will remain open after Fair Gates Close)
SPECIAL DAYS
Dollar Day – Thursday, May 15 at Noon – $1 Admission until 5pm Buy 1 Carnival Ride Wristband get 1 FREE until 6pm (Riders must be present at time of wristband purchase)
Senior Day – Friday, May 16 – $1 Admission for Senior’s 62+
Military & Law Enforcement Day – Saturday, May 17 – Military/Law Enforcement and their families with active ID will receive FREE Admission.
Fiesta Day – Sunday, May 18 – Hispanic Themed Stage and Grounds Entertainment.
Miss Contra Costa County Fair Queen Pageant at 5PM – Estrella Pavilion Stage – Come watch and support these local girls competing for the title of Miss Contra Costa County Fair.
DAILY ATTRACTIONS
Barnyard Bash – Get ready to go Hog-Wild with this interactive music and dance, audience participation Hoe-Down stage show. Daily Performance 1:30pm, 3:30pm, & 5:30pm.
BC Characters – Keep your eye pealed for these fun and furry characters.
Camel Rides – Feeling a little adventurous, here is your chance to take a ride on a camel.
Chicken Rider – Be on the lookout for the Chicken Rider and his chicken, Salt & Pepper.
Cowgirl Tricks – Cowgirl Tricks is a tongue-in-cheek vaudeville-style comedic bonanza of trick roping, whip cracking, music, magic, audience participation and lots of kooky cowgirl shenanigans. Performing daily on the Estrella Pavilion State, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm, May 15 – 17.
Daily Parade – 5PM on the Midway
Fables of the West – Look out for these two just horsing around.
Little Rascals Kids Club – FREE interactive, hands-on kid’s activity zone, where parents can relax and let their kids be kids in this fun activity area.
Paradise Roller Skating Academy – Demonstrations Watch as some of these skaters show you their amazing Roller-Skating talents. Demonstrations Thursday, May 15th at 6pm, and Saturday, May 17th at 2pm in Paradise Skate Roller Rink.
Petting Zoo – Here is your opportunity to get up close and personable with all kinds of fun furry creatures.
Pony Rides – Be a Cowboy or Cowgirl and ride the ponies.
Roaming Railroad – Take a ride on this Fun Little Train.
Sarah Nep Cheese Carver – Watch as Sarah turns a block of cheese into a fabulous work of art. Daily demonstrations from 1pm to 6pm in the Arts Pavilion.
Wiener Dog Stampede – Come out and support local contestants and their Wiener Dogs compete for Grand Champion in the Wiener Dog Stampede. Saturday May 17th at 3pm.
Wooden Creations – Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations – Watch these chainsaw artists work their magic and turn a log into a work of art. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to purchase Chainsaw Carvings. Daily Demonstrations 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm.
Xtreme Sports Zone – A thrill for everyone young and old. Bungee, Rock Wall, Water Balls and more.
EXHIBITS
Agriculture Pavilion
Arts Pavilion
Fur & Feathers Pavilion
Livestock Pavilion (Closed Sunday, May 18th)
Home Arts, Fine Arts, Photography, Agriculture Exhibits, Floriculture, Horticulture, Ag Mechanics, Industrial Technology & Science. – Take a look at what the talented local community artists have created, from youth home arts to adult fine art and photography, as well as agriculture and horticulture exhibits and displays.
LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS & AUCTIONS – Livestock Show Ring
Daily Goat Show followed by All Other Breeding Goat Show – 5:00PM
Boer Goat Show followed by Sheep Show – Friday, May 16, 4PM
Swine Show – Saturday, May 17, 8AM
Small Stock Master Showmanship – Saturday, May 17, 4PM
Large Livestock Showmanship – Saturday, May 17, 7PM
Junior Livestock Auction – Sunday, May 18, 9AM
LIVE MUSIC – Headliners
Gotcha Country is the band that can keep you “Boot Scootin” all night long! Daily shows are at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm – PG&E Midway Stage.
You Should Be Dancing – A Tribute to the Bee Gees – The San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere Bee Gees Tribute band. Experience non-stop dancing, soaring falsettos, and the most beautiful ballads of all time. Friday 7:30pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.
Patton Leatha – Making Music that moves your mind body and Soul. Saturday 5:30pm & 7pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.
Night Owls – Top 40 Cover Band, based out of San Francisco Saturday 8:30pm & 10pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.
Sunday Hispanic Themed Entertainment to include: DJ Winners, Banda Katana, El Rifle, Komando De La Siera
MIDWAY OF FUN CARNIVAL
Brass Ring Amusements Midway of Fun is a family owned and operated carnival business which has served the California fair circuit since 1991. From the Ferris Wheel to the Zipper and the Merry Go Round to the Viper there is something for all ages to enjoy at the Midway of Fun Carnival. Don’t forget to try your luck at one of the fun carnival games.
ANTIOCH SPEEDWAY – Saturday Night Races
Get your adrenalin pumping as you prepare for racing action, Saturday, May 17th. Watch IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks & Figure 8. Gates open at 4pm. Racing starts at 5:30pm. Separate Ticket required for Races, visit www.antiochspeedway.com for details.
Tickets & More Info
Ticket Prices: Kids 5 and under FREE Youth 6 – 12, $9 at the Fair, $7 presale
Seniors 62 & Over, $9 at the Fair, $7 presale
Adults, $14 at the Fair, $10 presale
Youth Season Pass – $25
Adult Season Pass – $35
Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands at the Fair $40, presale $35 Daily
Parking – $10
Season Parking Pass Livestock Lot – $35
Livestock Exhibitor Carnival Wristband – $99
To buy tickets and for more information visit contracostafair.com or call (925) 757-4400.
Chaperone Policy
The safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to the Fair. To improve this safety the Contra Costa County Fair Board of Directors adopted and implemented a Chaperone Policy for the 2024 Fair and will continue the policy for the 2025 Fair.
All youth under the age of eighteen (18) are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian (adult – age 25+) to be admitted into the Contra Costa County Fair. Any person entering may be asked to show a valid California Driver License or Identification Card or other government-issued ID. Each adult can only chaperone 4 youths at a time. Groups larger than 4 youths require an additional chaperone for every 4 youths. The chaperone (parent/adult) are required to remain on the facility with the youth during their time at the Fair. The youth must provide a telephone number of the attending parent/adult to a Fair Security representative upon request. Any and all misbehaving youth will be held and released to their chaperone (parent/adult). Any youth under the age of eighteen (18) not accompanied by an adult will not be admitted.
Location
The 2025 Contra Costa County Fair at the Contra Costa Event Park, 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. Parking off L Street and O Street entrances.
By Sgt. Rashad Hollis, Public Information Officer, Vallejo Police Department
On June 9, 2024, at approximately 1:51 p.m., officers assigned to the Vallejo Police Department (VPD) Patrol Division responded to multiple reports of gunshots heard on the 900 block of Amador Street.
Witnesses directed officers to a nearby yard on the 1300 block of Alabama Street, where they located an adult female suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
The victim identified the suspect who shot her as Hector Placencia-Gazmuri before being transported to a local hospital for emergency care. Multiple witnesses also reported seeing the victim exiting a moving vehicle moments after shots were fired from inside.
The Vallejo Police Department’s Patrol Division’s investigation confirmed Hector Placencia-Gazmuri, a 41-year-old Antioch resident, as the suspect in this shooting. Following their investigation, officers secured an arrest warrant for Hector Placencia-Gazmuri on a charge of attempted murder and kidnapping.
In April 2025, Placencia-Gazmuri was apprehended in Mexico and extradited to the United States. On April 29, 2025, VPD patrol officers contacted Placencia-Gazmuri at the Martinez Detention Facility in Contra Costa County, where he is being held on unrelated charges.
Hector Placencia-Gazmuri will be subsequently transported to the Solano County Jail and booked for attempted murder and kidnap.
The Vallejo Police Department urges anyone with information regarding this case to email Officer Zach Horton at Zach.Horton@cityofvallejo.net.
For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer Sgt. Rashad Hollis by email at VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net or by phone at (707) 567-4233.
According to localcrimenews.com, Placencia-Gazmuri was also arrested on June 9, 2024, by Contra Costa CHP for hit-and-run resulting in injury and reckless driving with injury.
