Fire fuels reduction efforts in the East Bay parks. Photos: EBRPD
$8.3 million in grants; $2.6 million in district matching funds
By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District
The East Bay Regional Park District is set to spend $10.9 million over the next three years to reduce fire fuels at Anthony Chabot, Tilden, and Wildcat Canyon Regional Parks, Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, and Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. The funding will help reduce wildfire risks by removing dead and dying trees and hazardous vegetation on over 600 acres. Dead trees burn hotter and faster and can cast embers long distances, igniting new fires.
These efforts are in addition to ongoing fuels reduction work districtwide, including large-scale projects at Anthony Chabot Regional Park (544 acres) and Tilden Regional Park (39 acres), a 16-person year-round fuels reduction crew, and annual goat, sheep, and cattle grazing. In 2024, the Park District’s fuels reduction crew removed hazardous fire fuels on 104 acres in 11 parks. Additionally, more than 86,800 acres of parkland are grazed annually by cattle, sheep, or goats.
“The grant funding enhances our ability to protect the public and safeguard our natural landscapes,” said Park District Interim Fire Chief Khari Helae. “Securing the funding is a testament to the Park District’s efforts—from planning to permitting—to manage the detailed grant application process and its proven ability to carry out large-scale fuels reduction projects in support of the community.”
2025 Grant Funding Allocations Map. Source: EBRPD
The $10.9 million for fuels reduction projects includes $8.3 million in grants, with $6.1 million coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $2.1 million from the California State Coastal Conservancy, and $100,000 from the U.S. Forest Service. FEMA funding was obtained in partnership with U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who secured $1.5 million in the 2023 budget, and U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who secured $1.4 million in the 2024 budget.
An additional $2.6 million comes from required Park District matching funds, which include general funds and voter-approved local revenue measures like Measure FF. These local revenue measures enhance the Park District’s ability to qualify for and secure grant funding by providing required matching contributions.
Fire fuels reduction source of funds. EBRPD
“These projects are vital to reducing wildfire risks in the East Bay,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “We thank FEMA, Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Eric Swalwell, the California State Coastal Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and Park District voters for their support and for prioritizing wildfire mitigation in the East Bay.”
For large scale vegetation management projects, the Park District utilizes a climate-friendly carbonizer to dispose of vegetation. The carbonizer burns organic matter at 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit with little oxygen, which produces very low emissions—especially compared to conventional disposal methods such as open pile burning or transporting debris long distances in diesel trucks. The resulting biochar is being used throughout the Park District to enhance soil health, improve water retention, and increase crop productivity, including at the District’s Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont.
Photo: EBRPD
The Park District Board of Directors will consider authorizing $1,883,261 in matching funds from Measure FF at their upcoming Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Measure FF was passed in 2018 by voters in the communities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Kensington, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, and San Pablo to provide funding to reduce fire risks, improve public access, and restore natural habitat. The Board of Directors previously authorized $500,016 in matching funds in March 2023.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,330 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives an estimated 30 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
$10 to $15 million in spending reductions proposed to eliminate deficits; largest amount in police department budget mostly due to savings from vacant positions
Public Works Dept budget cuts would reduce landscape maintenance and watering, vandalism repairs, close restrooms at some parks
City Manager requesting switch back to one-year budgets
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch City Council will hold another special meeting for a Budget Study Session for Fiscal Years 2025-27 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, beginning at 5:30 P.M.
According to the City staff report, the “Council has requested that several budget models be provided for consideration and discussion. The City Manager is requesting City Council to consider the five models provided and direct staff which elements to incorporate into a final draft for Council to evaluate for adoption.
The City Manager and Finance Director are recommending that the City Council adopt a one-year budget that would amend FY25 and adopt FY26. This will allow staff to pursue thoughtful and vetted long term alternatives to revenues, programs and services to better build a sustainable budget. If this is amenable, the proposed FY27 budget will be a baseline to begin further evaluation. Another one-year budget would then be adopted in June 2026, with a goal to adopt a two-year budget in 2027 for the 2027-29 fiscal years.
MODEL 1: This is the baseline model initially presented to City Council that incorporated $8.7M in reductions in FY26 and $9.5M in FY27. Further refinements were made, resulting in $10.4M in total reductions in FY26 and $11.2M in FY27.
Over half of the reductions will be in the police department budget with most from vacancy savings.
MODEL 2 includes additional Expenditure Budget Adjustments of $1,339,138 for total reductions of $11,769,027 in FY2026 and $1,366,910 in FY2027 for total reductions of $12,648,455.
The Public Works Department budget cuts would result in “Reducing landscape expenditures by this much will result in the following implications: playground repairs will not occur; preventative tree maintenance will not occur; will need to shut off water to landscape in some areas; sign repairs will not occur; vandalism and accident repairs will not be made; will need to close bathrooms at some parks; dead or missing plants will not be replaced causing landscape to look barren; irrigation controllers will not be repaired or replaced; soundwall repairs will not be made.”
MODEL 3 includes additional “net” reductions of $941,482 in FY26 and $612,850 in FY27 beyond measures in Models 1 and 2 as the reduction in funding for the AQCRT (Angelo Quinto Community Response Team) offsets the cost of adding 4 positions. The General Fund meets the 20% minimum unassigned fund balance level in, FY26; however, the minimum fund balance should be at least $19,297,944 in FY27 to meet a 20% unassigned reserve, meaning that is it deficient by $8,479,375.
MODEL 4 builds on Model 3 and incorporates a 5% furlough (5% pay reduction/reduced work hours) for employees, excluding APOA and APSMA bargaining unit employees, and assumes all elected officials take a 5% stipend reduction as well as a full fiscal year implementation. A 5% equivalent pay reduction for APOA and APSMA positions would be $1,306,530 in FY26 and $1,350,062 in FY27 that Council should negotiate for not only further reducing the deficit, but parity as well, if a furlough is implemented.
$5M in Budget Stabilization Funds are utilized in FY26 and FY27. The 20% minimum fund balance is met and exceeded each fiscal year. The Budget Stabilization fund balance is projected to be $32,941,944 at the end of FY26 and $26,641,944 at the end of FY27 if $5M per year, if funds are used to offset the deficit.
MODEL 5 builds on Model 4 and incorporates a total of a 10% furlough (10% pay reduction/reduced work hours) for employees, excluding APOA and APSMA bargaining unit employees, and assumes all elected officials take a 10% stipend reduction as well as a full fiscal year implementation. A 10% equivalent pay reduction for APOA and APSMA positions would be $2,613,060 in FY26 and $2,700,124 in FY27 that Council should negotiate not only for further reducing the deficit, but parity as well, if a furlough is implemented.
$5M in Budget Stabilization funds are utilized in each of the next two fiscal years. The Budget Stabilization fund balance is projected to be $32,941,944 at the end of FY26 and $26,641,944 at the end of FY27 if $5M per year if funds are used to offset the deficit.
Meeting Details
The meeting will be held in the Nick Rodriguez Center at 213 ‘F’ Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. Public comments are not included on the agenda.
2025 Greater Bay Area District Attorney Summit attendees. Source: Diana Becton for District Attorney
Elected District Attorneys and senior prosecutors from across the Bay, Northern California
By Bobbi Mauler, Executive Assistant, Contra Costa District Attorney
Area and beyond gathered in Contra Costa County for the 2025 Greater Bay Area DA Summit. The all-day, invitational summit brought together leaders to collaborate on legal strategies and share innovations that address some of the most urgent challenges facing the criminal justice system. Now in its third year, the summit has become a critical regional forum since its inception in Santa Clara County in 2022 and continuing in Napa County in 2023. The 2025 summit took place on May 16th at the Veterans Memorial Center in Lafayette.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton opened the summit with welcoming remarks that set the tone for the day’s discussions. In her address, DA Becton emphasized the importance of cross-jurisdictional partnerships and proactive approaches to public safety:
“The Greater Bay Area Summit has proven itself to be a constructive gathering where elected DAs from the Bay Area and beyond can share ideas, engage in robust discussions, and find practical solutions to increase public safety in the communities we serve. By coming together, we strengthen our collective ability to adapt to emerging technologies and respond to evolving criminal trends.”
Following her remarks, a series of expert-led panels explored timely and complex topics, including:
• The Use of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology in Criminal Prosecution
• Proposition 36 Implementation
• Emerging Challenges with Race-Blind Charging
• Legal Strategies in Combating Organized Retail Theft
Under District Attorney Becton’s leadership, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
has remained at the forefront of innovation, equity, and public safety. Hosting the summit further
reinforced her office’s role as a convener on issues that demand both legal insight and community engagement.
The 2025 Greater Bay Area District Attorney’s Summit was attended by the elected District Attorneys from the following counties:
Diana Becton, District Attorney of Contra Costa County
Lori Frugoli, District Attorney of Marin County
Ron Freitas, District Attorney of San Joaquin County
Allison Haley, District Attorney of Napa County
Thien Ho, District Attorney of Sacramento County
Brooke Jenkins, District Attorney of San Francisco County
Ursula Jones Dickson, District Attorney of Alameda County
Jeannine Pacioni, District Attorney of Monterey County
Jeff Reisig, District Attorney of Yolo County
Carla Rodriguez, District Attorney of Sonoma County
Jeffrey Rosen, District Attorney of Santa Clara County
Steve Wagstaffe, District Attorney of San Mateo County
In a post on her campaign Facebook page, Becton wrote about the Summit, “What an exciting day! I was honored to invite and host 12 elected Distrist Attorneys and senior prosecutors from across the Bay Area and beyond as we gathered in Contra Costa County for the 2025 Greater Bay Area DA Summit.
The all-day, invitational summit brought together leaders to collaborate on legal strategies and share innovations that address some of the most urgent challenges facing the criminal justice system.”
This community event is focused on reentry employment and support services. Job seekers will have the chance to connect with fair chance employers, explore career programs, and tap into local resources.
Contra Costa County District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover. Official photo
County’s fourth longest serving and first Black supervisor
Board, family issue statements, former colleagues offer thoughts
By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Office of Communications & Media, Contra Costa County
(Martinez, CA) – “We are deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of former Supervisor Federal Glover, who served our community with distinction and dedication during his time on the Board of Supervisors. Federal’s leadership and tireless commitment to improving the lives of residents left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit our County today. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him. Federal will be remembered not only for his contributions to public service, but also for his compassion and integrity. We honor Federal’s life and the positive impact he had on our community. Further details regarding services or ways to pay tribute will be shared as they become available. Thank you for joining us in reflecting on Federal’s lasting contributions.”
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
In addition, Glover’s widow, Janis issued the following statement from the family:
It is with deep sorrow that our family announces the passing of my beloved husband, Federal D. Glover, who departed this life today at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Federal was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and public servant. For over two decades, he served the people of Contra Costa County with distinction, becoming the first African American elected to the Board of Supervisors. His legacy is one of unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and service. He believed deeply in the power of community and worked tirelessly to uplift and unite the people he was honored to represent. As a family, we are heartbroken by this loss. After 47 years of marriage, I grieve alongside our children, Tederal Glover and Carissa Dorton, our grandchildren, and the extended Glover family. We are grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we have already received. At this time, there are no funeral or memorial plans in place, but we will share more information with the public as those arrangements are made. We appreciate your continued prayers and kind understanding as our family grieves this tremendous loss.
With gratitude, Janis Glover
Supervisor John Gioia Shares Thoughts
According to District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, Glover passed away today, Sunday, May 18, 2025. Glover’s former Board colleague shared his comments on his own official Facebook page:
“Today the Bay Area lost an historic and impactful leader and I lost a best friend – Supervisor Federal Glover.
I was honored to work alongside Fed Glover for 25 years through many fights together and personally saw his commitment to make our County a more just and equitable place for all.
“Our establishment of a County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice would not have happened without Federal’s strong leadership.
“He overcame many obstacles to become one of our County’s longest serving Supervisors and his core mission was always to increase opportunities for our most disadvantaged residents. Those lives he touched will continue to benefit from his work long after his death.”
Former Supervisor and Glover’s Mentor Joe Canciamilla Offers Comments
Former County Clerk and Supervisor Joe Canciamilla, in whose footsteps Glover followed from the Pittsburg City Council to the Board, after he was elected to the State Assembly, offered comments about his longtime friend.
“Federal led a life of public service,” he shared. “Not only as an elected but throughout as a community leader, volunteer and public servant. His legacy will be seen throughout the communities he served for many years to come.”
Personal Information, Business and Political Experience, and Accomplishments
Federal once shared that his name was supposed to be Tederal, but there was a mistake on his birth certificate and his name beginning with “f” instead, stuck. According to his bio on the Contra Costa County website, he was “born and raised in Pittsburg, Federal…lived in District 5 all his life. After attending San Francisco State University, he began working for local industries including POSCO and Dow Chemical. At Dow, where he worked 22 years, he served in several capacities centering on training and safety.
In 1996, following in the footsteps of his mentor and role model Taylor Davis and after serving on several city commissions, he won election to the Pittsburg City Council. From 1998 to 1999, Federal served as Mayor.
While on the Pittsburg City Council, Federal worked to improve the stability of the community. Under his leadership the City purchased its own Power Company and negotiations were completed for the construction of the new City Hall and a new fire station. He also voted to increase funding for citywide neighborhood revitalization and established ‘Mayor’s Forums’ where he encouraged open dialogue between residents and city staff.
Glover served District 5 residents on the Board of Supervisors from 2000 until 2024. “He was chairman of the board in 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2017. He began his sixth term in 2021.
“As a County Supervisor, Federal implemented several ordinances and beefed-up county services that helped improve the quality of life for residents in his district and the rest of the county.
Among those actions are:
He initiated the regional effort by East County cities and the county to secure funding for Highway 4 improvements and the eBART extension to Antioch and helped secure funding from regional, state and federal agencies for those improvements to the tune of $1-billion.
He consolidated three rural fire districts into the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District and help bring more local control of the district.
He created the Board of Supervisor’s Public Protection Committee for overseeing all issues pertaining to public safety and the justice system, including fire prevention, CERT training and realignment/reentry of state prisoners to be placed under county supervision.
He changed the manner in which the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund is dispensed so that it helps improve the quality of life of East County residents.
Implemented safety improvements to Vasco Road.
Completed the final phases of the North Broadway Infrastructure Program in Bay Point.
The Vessel Ordinance allows the cleanup of our Delta waterways of derelict or abandoned vessels.
He strongly supports the Urban Limit Line, which intends to rein in suburban sprawl and to preserve open space.
Through the sponsorship of seminars and symposiums, he supports economic development efforts to improve the business climate and job opportunities in Contra Costa County.
He helped facilitate the coming together of Los Medanos College with local industries to update job training programs to increase the local workforce for 21st century needs.
He initiated County youth conferences which give young people a chance to air their views to community leaders and get valuable information about careers and education.
The AIDS/HIV Task Force initiates educational and informational events to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in our community.
The Faith Initiative brings together clergy of all faiths to present a common front against some of the issues facing family life in East County.
The Gang Task Force is a holistic approach through prevention and intervention from the perspectives of law enforcement, education, faith and community groups to combat the influence of the “gang” lifestyle among the youth of East County.
As the District V representative on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, Federal is committed to reinforcing a sense of community by building bridges of trust, inclusion and cooperation among the diverse elements of District V.
He believes a strong community values the uniqueness of these different interest groups and diverse religious traditions. A strong community also recognizes their interdependency.
It takes many elements to foster a sense of community. “Besides shared values, rights and responsibility,” he says, “we also need an atmosphere of civility, trust and respect along with opportunities for networking and active participation.”
He has been married to Janis Glover for over forty-two years. They have been blessed with two children, Tederal and Carissa, as well as six grandchildren. The Glovers make their home in Pittsburg.”
Statement Following Final Re-election About His Previous Health Challenges
Following his re-election in 2020 for his final term on the Board, Glover wrote, “April 29, 2020: This morning I rose from my bed, placed my right hand across my heart, and gave thanks for the miracle of life. Even though our communities are faced with a daunting public health crisis, I cannot help but be thankful that I am here with both the passion and the power to face life’s challenges.
Exactly five years ago today, having suffered complete renal and cardiac failure, I was given a rebirth in a marathon 16-hour transplant surgery at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. On that day as one sadly lost his life, I was reborn through the selfless act of giving me their heart and kidneys.
First and foremost, I am thankful to God, who in great mercy, granted me an extension on life. I am certain that I was a beneficiary of divine providence. From my heart, I “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercies endure forever.”
The donor and the donor’s family have my eternal gratitude for making it possible for me to walk away from death’s door and face a new dawn. The remarkable surgeons at UCSF Medical Center, along with the talented supporting physicians, nurses, and technicians, are my heroes.
But there is one unsung hero for whom I am especially grateful. Throughout the difficult days before and after my surgery, my wife Janis was by my side. She was my advocate, asking questions and pressing for answers from the medical team. She has been a rock throughout the years of our marriage. A favorite passage of scripture says, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing.” In Janis, I have thankfully found a “good thing.”
My wonderful children and my grandchildren also gave me hope. The joy of watching them fulfill their destinies in life boosted my desire to get better and to keep on getting better. I am especially delighted that my youngest grandchild, True, celebrates her 2nd birthday on the same date as my rebirth day.
Throughout the time of my illness and recovery, my distinguished colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, our esteemed county administrator, departmental staff, and my own staff, helped me find hope for renewal and helped me transition back to my role as a county supervisor.
To all my extended family, friends, neighbors, and constituents, I am thankful for your prayers, your well wishes, and your confidence in me. In the five years since that April day in 2015, you have been wonderful in your ongoing support. My rebirth led me to renew my commitment to serve with faithfulness and to live in hope.
The Contra Costa Taxpayers Association (CoCoTax) invites you to attend a Board and Members Luncheon Meeting at Denny’s Restaurant, 1313 Willow Pass Road in Concord, on Friday May 23, 2025, at 11:45 am. Please register in advance on the CoCoTax website where you can pay ONLINE, or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door – $25 for members, $30 for guests.
In addition to our speaker, we will be discussing planned updates to the County’s Urban Limit Line (which restricts development in unincorporated areas) and El Cerrito’s forthcoming library parcel tax measure.
SPEAKER TOPIC
Contra Costa Water District 2025 Update
With recent fires in Southern California and ongoing discussions about California’s public water systems and supply, Contra Costa Water District continues to serve as a leader among water agencies throughout the state. CCWD Board President Ernesto “Ernie” Avila will join us May 23 to give updates about ongoing capital improvement projects, how customer rates are used to provide a stable, long-term water supply, what resources and rebates are available to customers, and other initiatives underway to improve the reliability of our local water system. For more information visit Contra Costa Water District, CA | Official Website.
Speaker Bio
Ernesto A. Avila, P.E., was appointed to CCWD’s board in March 2016 to represent Division 3, which includes eastern Concord, Clayton, and part of Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill, and began serving as Board President in May 2022. He has over 40 years of professional experience in planning, environmental compliance, regulation, design, and construction of water, wastewater and recycled water works and municipal facilities. He is currently Principal/Vice-President of a private engineering firm.
As a member of the Board, he brings his dedication to the community, passion for water issues, and his experience in the private and public sectors. For the community, he has volunteered for many citizen-based committees/organizations including the Walnut Creek Transportation Commission, the Concord Planning Commission, the John Muir/Mount Diablo Community Health Fund, the Knights of Columbus, the East Bay Leadership Council, and the St. Francis of Assisi School Board. While working full time, he has made volunteering in the community a priority, representing his neighbors and family on important issues that affect their everyday life.
He is passionate about water issues in his professional life, working on a variety of issues statewide during his career. Among several relevant positions, he served as Director of Engineering at Contra Costa Water District before moving on to become General Manager of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. He also served as Executive Director for the California Urban Water Agencies, Program Director for the Multi-State Salinity Coalition, and was elected as Vice President of the Association of California Water Agencies for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2024. He has experience on water projects of all shapes and sizes, including water treatment plant improvements, dam retrofits, and watershed management and habitat conservation projects.
He lives in Clayton with his family and is a licensed civil engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California.
About CoCoTax
Founded in 1937, CoCoTax leads the way in providing fiscal oversight of local government. We actively resist unwarranted taxes and fees, discriminatory regulations, ill-advised public expenditures and government secrecy, inefficiency and waste. For more information and membership visit www.cocotax.org.
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.”
After reading the above information from the DOJ’s press release, Wenger offered additional comments. He replied that the article, “got a lot of it wrong in regards to the ‘crimes’ but that’s to be expected as the government is saying things that are flat out not true.
Christ is my lamp guiding me through this valley of shadows. The truth will surface and you will see it.”
“Despite what the government is falsely boasting nationwide about me I never have had anything to do with steroids. Never took them, never possessed them, and sure as heck never conspired to distribute them. I took PEPTIDES, gonadorelin to be specific. It’s legal and NOT a steroid. I took the peptides to recover from COVID, COVID almost killed me and had me in a hospital bed and left my body in shambles. I still feel the effects of it to this day and will never fully recover. The FBI even seized gonadorelin and numerous other peptides failed to disclose that.
“The case was built on a package that belonged to Daniel Harris which was intercepted and tampered with by the FBI as outlined in the motion I sent you. This package contained peptides and the FBI added steroids when they tampered with it confirmed by the weight difference when the package was originally shipped up to just prior to the seizure by the FBI and when the FBI listed different box measurements and a different weight in their report when they searched the package days after they intercepted it. Again, this is covered in the motion I sent you.
“Daniel and the ‘third party’ Brendon Mahoney were contacting each other directly, I had no knowledge what they were talking about. I assumed Brendon was purchasing the same peptide I purchased from Dan. However, I was never involved with any agreement nor any exchange of money or anything at all. I offered to pick up mahoney’s peptides since we all lived in different states and Mahoney and I would see each other at national guard drill, that’s it. The government is misrepresenting vague text messages to try and falsely claim I had steroids when I never did. I was not aware of Dan’s nor Mahoney’s conduct nor conversations. The government was aware of all of this, as I told them what I took was legal and they still misrepresented this to the court, the jury, and the people.
“My phone was illegally seized by the FBI and DAI Wallace / DAI Holcomb. It was never a ‘joint’ investigation, it was federal the whole time confirmed by internal FBI communications that they tried to hide from my lawyers and I. DAI Wallace and Holcomb were assigned to the federal agency acting as de facto federal agents, t put it simply they were acting as federal agents not, state ones. Wallace also fabricated the ‘anonymous letters’ the Pittsburg Police Department received and fabricated evidence to back legally seizing my phone.
“Additionally, FBI N-DEx (National Data Exchange) agents seized and searched my phone without any federal warrant and manipulated my phone settings and deleted many things off of my phone including signal messages since they were set to auto delete prior to my phone being forensically imaged. The federal prosecutors intentionally misrepresented this to the jury, claiming it was me and thus, they charged and convicted me with destruction of evidence. Additionally, they served the warrant at the wrong house. I had to drive to them to surrender my phone. I was complaint the whole time and even gave them an interview where I told them what I took was legal.
“Additionally, the government falsely claimed I deleted contacts and Venmo contacts from my phone, yet that is not true. These contacts and Venmo contacts remain in my phone to this day. They never left. Now, my phone was backed up to iCloud the night before the phone seizure and the government could have searched my iCloud and seen that I never deleted anything from my phone, yet they did not even though they seized everybody else’s iCloud. This is because they are pushing a false narrative.
“I encourage you to read the motion I sent you, for those who also want to read it, it’s on PACER. I forgive the prosecution, the FBI, APD, the DA’s office, and everybody involved in this. I wish them nothing but prosperity and long blessed lives with their families. I have no hate, only love. However, the truth will surface. God has a way of doing that. I encourage all involved to repent and seek Christ. Glory be to Christ as the only way to Salvation be through him. I am innocent, I am in fact being framed, and I am a whistleblower facing horrific whistleblower retaliation, but it is Christ who will carry me through this difficult time and reveal the truth.
“This isn’t even everything. The FBI and federal prosecutors manipulated the evidence in discovery as confirmation via the metadata of the discovery documents. They also are hiding exculpatory evidence under layers and layers of code so that my legal team and I are unable to access it. When they do provide evidence, it’s often under a protective order or heavily redacted so that I am unable to view it. What is happening here should shock and concern every single American. This should not be allowed, and the White House needs to be aware of what is occurring here.”
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
