The younger says he’s a two-time Deer Valley High drop-out who claims to have turned his life around after twice spending time in jail, and has gone from “‘streetpreneur’ to a real entrepreneur,” paid public speaker

By Allen D. Payton

According to the Antioch Police Department’s CitizenRIMS, two men with the same last name were arrested early Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, for felony battery and one was also charged with misdemeanor obstructing or resisting a peace officer. The incident occurred at 1:52 AM in the 800 block of O Street.

Dean Jonathan Serva, age 30, is described as Hispanic, five-feet, six-inches tall and 175 pounds. He was charged with 243(d) Pc: Battery with serious bodily injury (F). His younger brother, Nilton Junior Serva, age 29, is also described as Hispanic, as well as five-feet, 10-inches tall and 290 pounds. He was also charged with243(d) Pc: Battery with serious bodily injury (F), as well as with 148(a)(1) Pc: Obstruct / resist / etc. a public or peace officer or emergency medical tech – simple (M). Case Number:26-10015.

At the same time and location, the CitizenRims Map shows a fight occurred and the disposition is described as report taken – felony and the call was closed at 7:55 AM

Both have the same Incident Number: 2610180021.

According to Antioch Police Lt. Bill Whitaker the felony battery was filed with the DA’s office, the two are brothers and the assault was against a family member but there were no major injuries.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, as of that same night at 7:01 PM Nilton Serva had bonded out of custody and Dean Serva had also bonded out of custody at that same time.

Nilton Says He’s Gone From “‘Streetpreneur’ to a Real Entrepreneur” and Offers His Services as a Paid Public Speaker

A former Deer Valley High School student who says he dropped out twice, according to Nilton’s website about himself on which he provides details on his background, claims a “lifestyle shift from ‘streetpreneur’ to a real entrepreneur” and offers his services as a paid public speaker.

On the My Story page, Nilton shares that after dropping out of high school for a second time, he was first arrested at age 17 for residential burglary. After nine months in county jail and the Byron Boys Ranch, he was released. But he “could not find a job and got sucked back into his old ways. Within a couple of months, he got violated by his probation officer…was on house arrest for a month then he went back to court. He was sentenced to another 6-month program at Byron.”

While there, “He then focused on getting his high school credits and even got his high school equivalency there too,” Nilton’s story continues.

According to his LinkedIn profile, as of February this year Nilton is President of VC Unleashed, a global non‑profit for next‑generation investors, where he’s worked since June 2024, and since January this year he has also worked for San Francisco-based Finix in GTM (Go-To-Market) & Partnerships and has been an Angel Investor for Wefunder since January 2024.

In 2023, Nilton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA.

UCLA Magazine Article

He also offered details about his background in a 2024 article on the UCLA Magazine website in which Nilton wrote, “I changed at UCLA. Became more structured. Because the standards were high, I had a choice: Meet them, or quit. And there was no way I was going to quit. I got into the Social Enterprise Academy and the Benjamin Graham Value Investing Program. I spoke to venture capitalists, fund managers. My professors provided amazing guidance. I began to see my path. 

“I got pretty emotional at graduation, thinking about it all: every little fight I’d had, every mistake I’d made. But I viewed all of that as just the first chapter of my story. 

“I will take UCLA with me wherever I go. And because of it, I’ll continue to write better and better chapters of my life.”.

Efforts to reach Nilton via the email address on his website and LinkedIn were unsuccessful.

If you know him, please ask him or his brother to contact the Herald at (925) 457-5324 or editor@antiochherald.com. Then check back later for any updates to this report.

22 from Contra Costa County, 52 total

Learn why the congressman honored the two women from Antioch

By Cameron Niven, Office of Congressman John Garamendi

BENICIA, CA – On Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at his 13th annual Women of the Year event, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) honored 52 women from California’s 8th Congressional District, including 22 from Contra Costa County and two from Antioch, who are leaders and visionaries in their communities. Each honoree has made a real difference in our community through public service, business, education, and the local economy.

“Every year, I’m honored to recognize the remarkable women of California’s 8th District who serve as the backbone of our community,” said Rep. Garamendi. “They come from every corner of our district and from many different backgrounds, and they work in a wide range of fields. Each is united by the profound impact they have on the people around them.”

“Their commitment and passion for service deserve recognition, and through this award, their contributions will be preserved for generations in the official Congressional Record in Washington, D.C.”

The event was held in Benicia at the Clocktower and the women from Antioch who were honored are Laura Jacques and Lisa Lacy.

In a post on Facebook following the event the congressman also wrote, “Yesterday I had privilege of recognizing 52 women from California’s 8th Congressional District at my annual Women of the Year celebration. These women are leaders and visionaries who are making a real difference in our community through public service, business, education, and the local economy. Thank you to every honoree for all you do. Congratulations!”

When reached for comment about the honor, Antioch resident Laura Jacques said, “I was very honored. I was really humbled by some of the other women who were there and I was thinking, ‘do I really belong here?’ I was really surprised.”

“It was a really nice event,” she added.

The 2026 Women of the Year Honorees are:

Contra Costa County:

• Laura Jacques (Antioch)
• Lisa Lacy (Antioch)
• Champagne Brown (El Cerrito)
• Stacy Wayne (El Cerrito)
• Susan Duncan (El Cerrito)
• Christine Mathias (El Sobrante)
• Jamela Smith-Folds (Hercules)
• Christine Dean (Martinez)
• Rachel Shoemake (Martinez)
• Annisha Geran (Pittsburg)
• Kaitlin Clink (Pittsburg)
• Annie King-Meredith (Richmond)
• Elana Bolds (Richmond)
• Maria Del Rocio Martinez Luna (Richmond)
• Mary Ann Dawkins-Padigela (Richmond)
• Dr. Mayra Padilla (Richmond)
• Michelle Denise Milam (Richmond)
• Nwaeze Nmereole (Richmond)
• Shasa Curl (Richmond)
• Amanda Jenkins (San Pablo)
• Dr. Rocio Hernández (San Pablo)
• Yolanda Mendoza (San Pablo)

A photo and a bio about each woman were included in a program provided to each honoree at the event and a plaque showing their information entered into the Congressional Record was presented to them by the congressman. Lacy did not attend the event nor provide a photo for the program.

Laura Jacques – Antioch – Contra Costa County

Laura Jacques is a dedicated member of the Antioch Historical Society and the Woman’s Club of Antioch. In her role with the Historical Society, Laura is essential in organizing and running several community events, including the city’s 150th anniversary and the relocation of the Red Caboose. Laura continuously goes above and beyond, whether it is helping produce a commemorative coin, a book documenting Antioch’s history, or a celebratory barbecue.

As a part of Antioch’s Woman’s Club, Laura has worked tirelessly to transform her local community. She has dedicated her efforts to enhancing the Woman’s Club’s outdoor space, while also spearheading the early stages of a new mural on the building’s exterior that will celebrate local history and art. In addition to directly supervising the reconstruction of the space, Laura was instrumental in the project’s fundraising.

Across all her roles, Laura consistently drives positive change in her community through her leadership, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to excellence. Her efforts have benefited Antioch community members of all ages and her dedication to supporting the community is truly worth celebrating.

Lisa Lacy – Antioch – Contra Costa

Lisa Lacy is a dedicated member of the Antioch community who works tirelessly to protect and care for the local feral feline population of Antioch. Starting her days in the early hours of the morning, Lisa works to trap, transport, house, and medicate feral felines across Antioch. She has worked tirelessly to prepare formerly feral cats for their new lives in loving homes through trap, neuter and return efforts. Lisa has helped to create a more humane environment for our feline friends and those who enjoy their company.

To educate and empower her fellow Antioch community members, Lisa created the Scruffy to Fluffy information page. Community members can find adoptable cats, as well as information on how best to deal with those that are feral. Many community members have turned to her after receiving litters that are too large for them to manage, and Lisa has helped to arrange adoptions and other methods of care.

Her work has benefited both 4-legged and human members of Antioch’s community, and her dedication does not go unnoticed. Lisa’s dedication to caring for Antioch’s feline population reflects the very best of community service and continues to make a meaningful difference for both animals and residents.

UPDATE: When reached for comment Lacy said, “I was not able to attend as we had transport to several different cities to have both friendly and community cats sterilized.”

As for her friend in the photo she said, “His name is Asher and he went to a wonderful home in Old Town Sacramento.”

A video of the event can be found here and see more photos here.

Congressman Garamendi represents California’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives which currently includes portions of Contra Costa County along the northern waterfront from Richmond to Antioch. After the 2026 election, the new district will only include portions of West County.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department

The Antioch Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding Stephen Simmons, a 33-year-old Antioch man who has a developmental disability and cannot care for himself. Simmons is described as a Black male, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 110 pounds. He was last seen wearing a zip-up jacket and pants.

Simmons was last seen leaving his home in Antioch with a family member on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at approximately 8:20 p.m. The family member was later located safe in Antioch. The car they were believed to be traveling in was found unoccupied early Friday morning, October 16, on Brannan Street near 7th Street in San Francisco.

Simmons’s current location is unknown. He could be in Antioch, San Francisco, or anywhere in between. The Antioch Police Department is working with the San Francisco Police Department on the search.

Simmons is very soft-spoken and has limited speech. He may not respond to his name or be able to ask for help. Anyone who sees him should approach calmly, stay with him if it is safe to do so, and call 911 right away.

Anyone with information about where Simmons may be, or who saw him at any time since Wednesday night, is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department at (925) 778-2441 and reference case number 26-9954.

Description:
• Black male, 33 years old
• 5’6″, about 110 lbs, very thin build
• Last seen wearing a zip-up jacket and pants

If you have seen Stephen anywhere since Wednesday night, please contact us.
Call 911 if you see him.
Information: Antioch PD (925) 778-2441
Case #26-9954

Antioch native David Martin, Jr. seeks public’s help for return of photos, hard drives and equipment or replacement

By Kirsten Mitchell, Communications Associate, GoFundMe

An Antioch couple’s wedding photos were reportedly stolen from their photographer’s rental car in Oakland just three days after their ceremony, and now the community is helping them try to recover those memories. David Martin, Jr., an Antioch native now based in Southern California, returned to photograph Jenna and Nick Banks’ October 4 wedding. According to the GoFundMe, thieves took nearly all the equipment he uses to support his family, along with drives holding years of work and the only copies of the couple’s wedding photos. Loved ones are asking for help finding the stolen drives and memory cards while raising funds to replace his gear and refund the couple if their photos aren’t recovered.

“What should have been a lifetime of cherished memories vanished in an instant. David is devastated, not only by the loss of his livelihood, but by the thought that Jenna and Nick may never get to relive the most important moments of their special day. Cameras can be replaced. A wedding day cannot.”

In a video on the GoFundMe page entitled “Restore David’s Livelihood”, Martin, who owns David Martin Jr. Photography according to his Facebook page, and is based in Orange County, CA according to his website, says, “I “lost…80% of my equipment.”

According to a KTVU FOX2 news report, break-in of his rental car in downtown Oakland happened days after the wedding in which “gear worth $35,000, including two cameras, lenses, a drone, a laptop as well as a hard drive and memory cards with the couple’s photos” were taken.

Post on GoFundMe by Lina Martin for David Martin

“On October 7, David Martin, a hardworking photographer and family man, had his vehicle broken into in Oakland. Thieves stole nearly all of his professional photography equipment, including cameras, lenses, drone, a laptop, accessories and hard drives holding years of irreplaceable work.

“In a matter of minutes, David lost the tools he depends on to support his family.

“The most heartbreaking part is that the stolen memory cards and hard drive held the only copies of Jenna and Nick Banks’ wedding photos. The couple had been married just three days earlier, on October 4. What should have been a lifetime of cherished memories vanished in an instant. David is devastated, not only by the loss of his livelihood, but by the thought that Jenna and Nick may never get to relive the most important moments of their special day. Cameras can be replaced. A wedding day cannot.

“David is doing everything he can to make it right. If the photos aren’t recovered, he will refund Jenna and Nick in full. He’ll also photograph them again, at no cost, in their wedding attire so they have something beautiful to hold on to.

“The theft also hit David in the middle of a video project in the Bay Area. All of the footage he had already captured was lost, which means he has to reshoot from scratch and cover the cost of travel all over again, on top of replacing his gear.

“For 12 years, David has photographed weddings, families, and milestones for people across Los Angeles and Orange County. Photography isn’t just his passion. It’s how he puts food on the table for his family.”

Where your donation goes

“Your support will replace the cameras, lenses, lighting, drone, laptop, accessories and storage David needs to get back to work, cover the travel costs of reshooting his lost video project, and help fund a full refund to Jenna and Nick if their photos can’t be recovered.”

Help us find the photos

“There’s still a chance the drives turn up. If you see cameras, lenses, laptops, or hard drives being sold in the Oakland area, on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, or anywhere else, please reach out through the “Contact” button on this page. A police report has been filed (RD# 26-042959). Getting those drives and or SD/Express cards back is the only way Jenna and Nick get their wedding photos.”

How you can help

“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you can’t donate, please share this page. The more people who see it, the better the chance someone spots the stolen gear.

“Let’s come together and help David get back behind the camera.

“Thank you for supporting David and his family.”

—————

As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, $14,215 has been raised from 54 donations of the total goal of $16,000.

Link to the GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/restore-davids-livelihood-and-jenna-nicks-memories.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Shares accomplishments

UDPATE: Scott writes, “After Antioch: When You Love the Work, but the Politics Break Your Heart”

By Allen D. Payton

Today, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, the two-year contract for Antioch City Manager Bessie M. Scott ended.

After being hired in August 2024, she began her tenure in October, just a month before that year’s elections when a new mayor and two new council members were elected, forming a new council majority. As a result, Scott was not expected to last in her position for more than six months. Instead, she served 19 months before being placed on paid leave on May 5th. Less than two weeks before that occurred, Scott shared her thoughts on the role and position of city manager saying, “It sounds hard, and it is – but JOY abounds here!”

In response to the end of her contract, Scott issued the following farewell message to Antioch residents, offering a list of accomplishments during her time in the position:

Statement from Bessie Scott

On the Conclusion of My Service as Antioch City Manager

“As my tenure as Antioch City Manager concludes on October 7, 2026, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve this community. It has been an honor to hold this position and to serve as the first woman City Manager in Antioch’s history.

I entered this role with a commitment to strengthen city operations, support employees, improve public services, strengthen police and community relations, and build a more responsive and accountable government. My tenure included significant challenges—from staffing shortages and financial pressures to organizational and leadership difficulties. Some of those challenges were deeply personal and professionally painful. I acknowledge them honestly while remaining proud of the work we accomplished and the people who made it possible.

“Together with dedicated staff and regional, county and community partners, we advanced meaningful priorities and made great strides. These efforts included securing a $35 million Homekey+ award to address homelessness, obtaining additional emergency homelessness funding, and strengthening housing services through rental assistance, fair housing, and landlord-tenant support. We moved forward with efforts to address illegal dumping, beautify our Amtrak – Gold Runner downtown train stop, improve wayfinding, modernize agenda and records management, update outdated city policies, and address the public records request backlog.

“We also advanced police accountability and community engagement, including filling Police Oversight Commission seats, reinstating Neighborhood Watch, and supporting work to implement the City’s police settlement obligations. Our investment in young people helped send ten students to the State Capitol through Youth and Government, with one student selected to participate in National Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C.

“These accomplishments belong to the employees, residents, and partners who worked alongside me. To City staff: thank you for your expertise, persistence, and care for Antioch. I saw the demands you carried, and the effort you made to keep essential services moving, often under difficult circumstances. Your work matters, and I am grateful for your dedication.

“To the Antioch community: thank you for welcoming me, sharing your concerns, challenging us to do better, and contributing your time and ideas. Your advocacy and commitment to your neighborhoods strengthened our work and reminded me why public service matters.

“I leave this role proud of what we advanced and mindful that meaningful work remains. My hope is that Antioch continues to invest in its employees, strengthen public trust, and pursue opportunities that truly and positively improve the lives of all of its residents in a sustainable and equitable manner.

“Thank you for the privilege of serving as your City Manager.”

Bessie Marie Scott, CIG, EMPA

—————-

UPDATE: Scott Offers Additional Thoughts Entitled, “After Antioch: When You Love the Work, but the Politics Break Your Heart”

In a post on her LinkedIn account on Thursday, Scott offered additional thoughts about the end of her role as Antioch city manager, which District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker shared on her own official Facebook page that same day. Scott wrote, “After Antioch: When You Love the Work, but the Politics Break Your Heart…

“There is a particular kind of heartbreak that comes from losing a job you loved. You grieve the people. The unfinished plans. The problems you understood deeply and still wanted to solve. You think about the promises you made, the relationships you built, and the future you could see taking shape.

“For leaders who enter public service with a strong sense of purpose, the work becomes so very personal. Behind a budget line, we see a family. Behind a staffing decision, we see an employee carrying too much. Behind an operational problem, we see a community waiting for government to work better. That connection makes us committed.

“It also makes the ending hurt.

“Over these last two years, I have had to confront the painful reality that loving the work and being capable of doing it do not guarantee that you will be given the conditions to succeed. Leadership depends on more than individual effort. It requires clear authority, workable relationships, consistent expectations, and enough trust to make difficult decisions. When those conditions erode, and principled leadership is lacking, even meaningful progress can become overshadowed by political conflict. That is a difficult truth for someone like me who believes in working harder.

“My instinct has often been to prepare more, explain more, produce more, and keep showing up. Sometimes those efforts resolve a problem. Sometimes the problem persists because the disagreement concerns who should have influence, whose judgment will be trusted, or what others are willing to support.

“I am learning to hold two truths together: I can examine my decisions honestly, and I can recognize the limits of what I could control.

“I can acknowledge what I would do differently without taking responsibility for every condition around me.

“And I can love the work without allowing its ending to define my worth.

“If you are grieving a role you cared about like I am currently, give yourself permission to name the loss. You do not have to turn it into a lesson immediately.

“Some work matters enough to break your heart.

“Healing begins when you give that heartbreak the same care you once gave the job. Keep going, it will all work out in the end.”

On last day of current City Manager Bessie Scott’s contract

By Allen D. Payton

The Antioch City Council will hold a special Closed Session meeting Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7 at 1:30 PM to deal with four items, three of which are regarding the position of City Manager, as current City Manager Bessie Scott’s two-year contract ends tomorrow. She was hired in August 2024 on a 3-2 vote, with a Step B salary of $263,880 annually and began in the position in October 2024.

Scott has been on paid leave since May 5th following a 4-0 Closed Session council vote with District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker voting to abstain.

The other item on the agenda is to again discuss a potential lawsuit against the City.

Before the council adjourns into the closed-door meeting Wednesday, the public will have the opportunity to offer their comments on the agenda items.

Under Item 4.2, the Council will discuss the public employee recruitment of a new, permanent city manager and under Item 4.4, current Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, who is also the City’s current Director of Human Resources and is expected to be appointed as Interim City Manager, will be negotiating with the City Council regarding the position.

The four items on the agenda are as follows:

4.1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Interim City Manager. This Closed Session is authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.

4.2 Public Employee/Public Employee Recruitment: City Manager. This Closed Session is authorized pursuant to California Government Code section 54957(b).

4.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(2): Number of potential cases: (1). The City is in receipt of information concerning facts and circumstances that might result in litigation against the City which are known to a potential plaintiff or plaintiffs pertaining to possible Labor Code Section 1102.5, and Fair Employment and Housing Act violations.

4.4 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6. City Negotiator: Director of Human Resources Ana Cortez  Employee: Interim City Manager.

Following the Closed Session, City Attorney Lori Asuncion will report out any action taken.

Meeting Details

The Council meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 200 H Street, or can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website or on the City’s YouTube channel.

See agenda.

46-year-old Edgielyn Torrente located Sunday morning about one mile west of where she went missing on September 23rd; family notified

By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

ANTIOCH, Calif. – Edgielyn “Lynn” Torrente, 46, who went missing while swimming near Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill in Antioch on September 23, 2026, was found deceased in the San Joaquin River on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Her family has been notified, and this update was held until that notification was complete.

The Antioch Police Department extends its sincere condolences to her family and friends.

RECOVERY

At about 7:06 a.m. on September 27, 2026, officers responded to multiple calls reporting a person in the water west of Smith’s Landing. She was located about one mile farther west. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and the Pittsburg Police Department recovered her from the water. The Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division responded and took custody.

The Coroner’s Division will determine the cause and manner of death. No foul play is suspected.

BACKGROUND

As previously reported, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 6:12 p.m., officers responded to reports of two women in distress in the water behind Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill. The women had been swimming when a strong current pulled them from shore. Officer Molina reached one of the women, Farrah Moore, on a personal watercraft and brought her to safety.

According to his mother, Judy Dossey, “The private citizen on scene who was operating the jet ski is Jeff Lewis, an Antioch resident. Mr. Lewis also assisted in the rescue of the swimmer in distress.”

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, and the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit joined APD in water and aerial searches for Torrente.

Lt. Cesar Franco said it was his understanding the two women were homeless. According to a post on the Homelessness in Antioch & Community Connection Facebook page, local homeless advocate, Nichole Gardner, wrote on the day she was rescued, “Farrah is out of the hospital and is back downtown.” She also shared that Torrente went by “Lynn”.

The Antioch Police Department thanks each of these agencies, the Pittsburg Police Department, and the community members who called 911. CASE NO. 26-9135

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

We will be hosting a Community Meeting on Thursday, September 10th at 6:30 p.m. at MNO Grant Elementary (4325 Spaulding Street). We encourage you to attend, as this is a valuable opportunity to ask questions, receive helpful information and engage directly with your Police Department.