UPDATE: A 2012 candidate for Mayor of Antioch, Michael Leon accused of killing then 52-year-old Brenda Leon, held on $1 million bail

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – Today, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office charged 66-year-old Michael Anthony Leon (born 7/17/1958) with the 2015 murder of his wife, Brenda Joyce Leon, who was 52 years old at the time of her death.

After an extensive investigation, the District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit determined that Brenda Leon’s death on September 28th, 2015, was an act of homicide. The investigation uncovered previously unknown digital evidence and new factual details that were central to the decision to file charges.

Michael Leon was taken into custody from his Antioch residence on January 22nd by the DA’s Office Bureau of Investigations. It was initially investigated in 2015 by Antioch PD. He is charged with murder under Penal Code Section 187(a) and personal use of a firearm causing death under Penal Code Section 12022.53(d). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

“Brenda Joyce’s family never lost faith that the truth would come to light,” said District Attorney Diana Becton. “Today’s filing in Contra Costa Superior Court honors that perseverance and demonstrates that cold cases are never forgotten, regardless of how much time has passed.”

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, eight-inch tall, 190-pound Leon is being held on $1 million bail.

No press release about the incident was issued by Antioch Police at the time, nor was it included in the City Manager’s weekly report which offered the Department’s calls for service highlights for Sept. 24 – Oct. 1, 2015, as provided by then-Police Chief Allan Cantando. Efforts to reach Cantando to ask if he could recall why that occurred was unsuccessful prior to publication time.

2012 Candidate for Mayor of Antioch

8:00 PM UPDATE: It was discovered in the Herald’s archives that Michael Leon was a candidate for Mayor of Antioch in 2012 and a newcomer to politics, placing fourth behind Wade Harper, Gary Agopian and Don Freitas. At the time, his candidate statement showed he was a “Marketing Associate for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company.”

Later, during the campaign, Leon said he was a business owner and located it in Oakley.

Leon described himself as a “regular Joe” or “Joe the Plumber” type who was encouraged to run by his neighbors after he was featured on Channel 4 news for helping get rid of squatters and some problem Section 8 tenants from his neighborhood. (See related articles here, here and here)

According to her obituary, “Brenda Joyce Leon passed away Monday, September 28, 2015, at the age of 52. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Michael Leon and her two loving children, Michelle Wonders, and Monica Tagas. Brenda was born to James and Myrna Francis in Walnut Creek, CA, on August 28, 1963 – the sixth of nine beautiful children. She called Concord home for 36 years where she truly blossomed in life – obtaining her High School diploma from Carondelet, working for her father’s transportation company, Bay Area Piggyback, Inc., marrying her loving husband, and starting her family. Her greatest pleasure and ultimate solace came from being a doting grandmother to her grandchildren, Michelle Wonders’ daughter Audrey – age 4 and son Elliot – age 1 ½.”

Michael Leon is set to be arraigned in court on January 26th at 1:30 pm in Martinez.

Case No. 01-26-00248 | The People of the State of California v. Michael Anthony Leon

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By City of Antioch

Join us for an important community conversation about human trafficking. We’re screening “Buying Her,” a powerful documentary exposing the realities of human trafficking in America. This is a chance to learn, connect with local advocates and take action.

Friday, January 23 | 6:00 PM

El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd Street, Antioch

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• Panel discussion with local experts & service providers
• Q&A session

Why this matters:

• Raise awareness about human trafficking
• Educate on warning signs & prevention
• Inspire action for change

If you or someone you know needs help:

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

RSVP: bit.ly/screeningbuyingher

Together, we can make a difference.

In critical, but stable condition

By Acting Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Monday January 5, 2026, at 12:38 PM, Antioch Police Department officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of the Delta View Apartment complex located at 3915 Delta Fair Boulevard.

While officers were responding, they learned that an 11-year-old girl had sustained a gunshot wound to the head while inside a vehicle in the apartment complex parking lot. After the shooting, the vehicle left the apartment complex and drove to a nearby shopping center parking lot. Multiple callers reported the vehicle’s location, allowing officers to respond directly to the shopping center.

Upon arrival, officers located the girl inside the vehicle and immediately rendered first aid until relieved by Contra Costa County Fire Department personnel. The girl was transported to Children’s Hospital Oakland, where she is listed in critical, but stable condition.

Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the apartment complex. At the time of the incident, the victim was seated in the passenger seat of her family’s vehicle as they were exiting the parking lot. At this stage of the investigation, the family does not appear to have been the intended targets.

“The suspect was on foot when the shooting occurred,” Lt. Bill Whitaker shared. “It’s unclear if he was shooting at someone nearby the vehicle or at the vehicle.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or via email at jcox@antiochca.gov.

All additional inquiries regarding this case should be directed to Investigations Lieutenant Whitaker at (925) 779-6876. Further updates will be provided by the Investigations Bureau as they become available.Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Dog-nappers Isaiah Kingstringer, Zoie Ledesma arrested inside Antioch Police Station, have history of arrests, out of custody

By Acting Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Division

On Friday, December 26, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a family was shopping at Target on Lone Tree Way in Antioch with their 10-week-old Yorkshire Terrier, “Tinkerbell.” While inside the store, the family was approached by two individuals who complimented them on the puppy. The individuals then took the puppy from the family and fled the area in a vehicle.

Officer Constantine Kawalya initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. During the investigation, officers learned that Tinkerbell was a Christmas gift for the family’s three-year-old daughter. The investigation led to the identification of a vehicle involved in the incident, as well as the suspected individuals, 20-year-old Isiah Mellow Kingstringer and 21-year-old Zoie Sofia Ledesma.

On December 27, 2025, an Antioch Police Department officer who was aware of the investigation located the suspect vehicle traveling within the City of Antioch and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle was subsequently towed as part of the investigation.

Later that day, Kingstringer and Ledesma arrived at the Antioch Police Department lobby to retrieve the towed vehicle. Both individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants related to the theft of Tinkerbell.

During a follow-up interview, Officer Kawalya determined the location of the puppy. Tinkerbell was safely recovered and reunited with her family.

Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on the following charges

• PC 487A(a) – Grand theft of an animal

• PC 532(a) – Theft by false pretenses

• PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at tips@antiochca.gov.

See video on the APD Facebook page.

History of Arrests, Out of Custody

According to localcrimenews.com, this is the third arrest this year for Kingstringer, a Richmond resident, including by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies on June 30th for possession of marijuana for sale and on August 4th by Richmond Police for addict in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner and revocation of probation.  He was also previously arrested in 2023 by BART Police for battery on transportation personnel with injury.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, he is Black and as of Dec. 29 at 5:09 AM, he had bonded out of custody.

According to localcrimenews.com, Ledesma, a Hercules resident, was previously arrested twice in 2023 by Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving without a license, failure to obey a peace officer and warrants or holds only.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, she is Asian-Pacific Islander and as of Monday, Dec. 29 at 5:00 AM, she had also bonded out of custody.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Struck by on-duty County DA Senior Inspector

Multi-agency investigation ensues

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Monday, December 22, at 10:33 a.m., the Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center received a call from security personnel at the Comfort Inn, located at 2436 Mahogany Way, reporting that a suspect had pulled a fire alarm and then struck a security guard.

Responding officers arrived on scene and located the 47-year-old male security guard who was pursuing the suspect in the area behind Kaiser, near Delta Fair Boulevard.

An Antioch Police Department officer was in the area with emergency lights activated while responding to the call. The 27-year-old male suspect, who possibly saw the lights, then jumped over a fence and ran onto the freeway, where he was struck by an on-duty Contra Costa County District Attorney Senior Inspector who, by chance, was driving in the area and was not involved in the initial incident.

At no time were responding Antioch Police Department officers involved in a foot pursuit of the suspect.

The investigator and Antioch Police Department officers immediately rendered medical aid; however, the suspect died at the scene.

A witness, who chose not to be identified and was stuck in the eastbound traffic back-up on Highway 4 between Loveridge Road in Pittsburg and Somersville Road in Antioch, said he saw police pumping the suspect’s chest. According to Spotlight CoCoCounty, the suspect “was struck in the number one lane near the Center divide.”

The back-up lasted for about two-and-a-half hours until Antioch Police issued an update at 1:07 p.m. that “the roadway is now open.”

The suspect’s name is not being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

As is standard protocol, the Antioch Police Department, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the California Highway Patrol will conduct a joint investigation into the incident. Any additional information will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Robert Ibanez at (925) 481-8398 or by email at ribanez@antiochca.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Attacker used “improvised weapon”, held on $530,000 bail

Sister organizes GoFundMe to pay for “proper services”

By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

According to a press release issued by Antioch Police Lt. William Whitaker today, “On December 4, 2025, the victim of the November 18 attack, 59-year-old Frank Troia, died from the injuries he sustained. The charges initially filed against the suspect, 34-year-old Brandon Rowlett, will be amended to murder (187 PC).”

As previously reported, on November 18, 2025, at approximately 2:46 a.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls of a subject down on the roadway at Lone Tree Way and W. Tregallas Road. When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim who appeared to have been involved in a physical altercation. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victim at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

On November 19, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, located and arrested Rowlett.

“He passed late last night,” Whitaker stated.

Asked if Troia was struck with a pipe, he said, “We found the improvised weapon used. It’s crucial evidence to the case. But we’re not going to release that information at this time.”

As previously reported, the sister of Troia has organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to pay for “proper services” for her brother.

Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Arturo Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or by email at abecerra@antiochca.gov.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, four-inch tall, 162-pound Rowlett is Hispanic, and now being held on $530,000 bail in the West County Detention Facility. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Martinez Superior Court.

“Those are illegal, bro” – APD Officer Yega

“I didn’t know” – suspect

By Antioch Police Department

Imitation may be the greatest form of flattery… but impersonating the police is a crime.

This weekend, Officer Yega and his K9 partner Loki were traveling on A Street when they spotted a red pickup truck equipped with police-style lights pulling cars over.

The self-appointed “officer” was a bit shocked when the real police showed up, and he immediately pulled over. When questioned, the driver claimed he bought the lights on TikTok and didn’t know he wasn’t allowed to pull people over.

“Because a guy cut me off,” he added.

“That’s illegal, bro,” Yega told him.

“I didn’t know,” the driver responded.

The driver was arrested, booked into jail, and the truck was towed away. TikTok cops will not be tolerated in Antioch. (See incident video)

UPDATE: Later, Antioch Police Communications Manager Stacey Malsom issued the following press release about the arrest:

On December 1, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., an Antioch Police officer observed a red Ford F-150 pickup truck on A Street displaying flashing red and blue lights, causing other vehicles to pull over. The officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted the driver.

Following an investigation, the driver was arrested for impersonating a peace officer, and the vehicle was impounded. The unlawful use of emergency lights creates a serious risk to public safety, and the Antioch Police Department takes these violations seriously.

If you believe you were a victim of this incident or have additional information, please contact Officer J. Yega at JYega@antiochca.gov.

On a serious note:

If you’re ever unsure whether you’re being stopped by a real police officer, you can always call 9-1-1. A dispatcher will confirm the officer’s identity and ensure your safety.

If you believe you’ve had an encounter with the red pickup truck or the suspect involved in this incident, please call (925) 778-2441 and let us know.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Arrested by Walnut Creek Police, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; held on $200,000 bail

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, that a suspect in possession of child sexual abuse material faces a four-count felony complaint.

32-year-old Ryan Allen Fenton of Antioch (born 6/13/1993) was arrested in Antioch Tuesday by Walnut Creek Police on a warrant related to a complaint the District Attorney filed with the court on February 3rd, 2025. The complaint was amended and refiled on November 25th after investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force found additional evidence Fenton was in possession of child sexual abuse material.

Fenton was arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court in Martinez at 10:30 am on the following:

· Two felony counts for possessing over 600 images of child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(c)(1)]. 

· Two felony counts for possessing child or youth pornography on or about October 23rd, 2024, and November 25th, 2025 [PC 311.11(a)].

District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is not a victimless crime; it is an act that perpetuates the sexual abuse of children and fuels a criminal enterprise. As District Attorney, my office treats the possession of CSAM with the utmost gravity, recognizing that every image and video represents an assault on a child.”

Fenton’s preliminary hearing is set for December 9th at 8:30 am at the A.F. Bray courthouse in Martinez in Department 6. He remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $200,000 bond. 

Case No. 01-25-00447 | The People of the State of California v. Ryan Allen Fenton

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the five-foot, 10-inch tall, 135-pound Fenton is Hispanic, but also listed as white, is now being held in the West County Detention Facility.

According to localcrimenews.com, Fenton was also arrested in 2020 in Inyo County for speeding, driving without a license and failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.