Almost half of cuts from Police Department staffing, overtime savings

Plus, $165.3 million 5-Year Capital Improvements budget and $2.4 million in federal community funds

By Allen D. Payton

Following all the special budget session meetings over the past several months, the Antioch City Council, during their meeting Tuesday night, June 24, 2025, is expected to approve the 2025-26 budget with over $11.5 million in spending cuts and using $5 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund. The City was facing a $24.3 million deficit for the coming fiscal year and if the budget is approved as recommended, will have a net deficit of $7.7 million which will be covered from reserves.

Almost half of the savings, $5.5 million, will be in the Police Department budget from Vacancy Savings and Overtime Reductions. UPDATE: That’s due to the current staffing vacancies of approximately 30 sworn officers and the chief informing the council that they expect to add 15 more officers in the next year. So, instead of determining the savings from the staff vacancies during a mid-year budget review and spending the one-time funds on other City budget items, the council chose to account for it in the budget up front to reduce the deficit.

In spite of the cuts, future fiscal years still show the City facing projected deficits of $10,629,642 in 2026-27 and $25,396,400 in 2028-29.

The proposed budget also includes an allocation from the Measure W 1% City sales tax of 70-15-15 or 70% for Police, 15% for Quality of Life and 15% for Youth. (See page 6 of the Budget)

According to the City staff report for item #5, “Since March, City Council and staff have been diligently scrutinizing the budget to close a starting point fiscal year 2026 deficit of $24,270,240. Initially, staff was able to shave $8,603,792 from that number, for a fiscal year 2026 deficit of $15,666,448 as presented at the March 4th budget session. Upon further collaboration with the Council, City Manager and departments as we moved through the exhaustive budget process, and through a series of further adjustments, a General Fund budget with a net deficit of $7,737,331, after a $5M infusion from the Budget Stabilization Fund.”

In addition, under item #3 the Council is expected to approve the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program budget for 2025-2030 for Community Facilities, Parks & Trails, Roadway Improvements, Traffic Signals, Wastewater & Storm Drain System and the City’s Water System. Currently, there are $163.3 million of projects in progress which includes $6,238,209 of projects that the Council added to the list.

Finally, in other budget action, under item #4 the Council will consider approving the recommendations of the City Council’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Subcommittee for a total of $2,369,318 in federal funds for the coming fiscal year. Mayor Pro Tem Louie Rocha, representing District 2, and Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, representing District 1, served on the CDBG Subcommittee for this funding cycle.

Click here to read the full agenda package.

The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers inside City Hall at 200 H Street, in historic, downtown Rivertown. It can be viewed via livestream on the City’s website, on Comcast Local Cable Channel 24 or on AT&T U-verse Channel 99.

Police seek unknown suspect

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Officers with the Antioch Police Department investigated an early morning shooting that sent one person to the hospital. On June 4, 2025, at approximately 2:51 AM, Antioch police officers were alerted to a shooting via a ShotSpotter activation in the 30-block of East Lake Drive. As officers arrived on scene, a 31-year-old male victim arrived at a local hospital suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Investigating officers located the crime scene and canvassed the area for additional evidence and witnesses. The victim was admitted to an area hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Based on the initial investigation, this appears to be an isolated incident. This is still an active investigation, and no further information will be released. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.

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

Brings force to 87 sworn

By Antioch Police Department

Eight more Antioch Police Officers were added to the force during an oath of office ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Chief Joe Vigil administered the oath of office as family members, friends and fellow department personnel watched inside the Nick Rodriguez Community      n Center theater.

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Antioch Police Department!

Altaaf Ahmed – Academy Graduate

From Stockton and a Cesar Chavez High grad, Altaaf is the first in his family to enter law enforcement. He worked at Stockton PD.

Fun fact: Altaaf speaks five languages!

Placido Serna – Academy Graduate

Stockton native with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He enjoys time with his girlfriend and three kids.

Fun fact: Placido had no kids at 21—two by 22!

Priest Jennings – Lateral Officer

Born in Fresno, raised in Stockton. Priest holds a Master’s degree and played college sports. He came to us from Fresno PD.

Fun fact: Priest loves roller skating!

Ryan Reynolds – Lateral Officer

Vacaville native and Marine Corps vet. Previously served with El Cerrito PD.

Fun fact: Ryan enjoys bass fishing and Jiu Jitsu. (No, he’s not the famous movie actor).

Elias Orocio – Academy Graduate

Born in Berkeley, raised in Antioch. He is currently earning a Finance degree.

Fun fact: Elias has a twin brother!

Lorenzo Ortiz – Academy Graduate

From Hayward, raised in Antioch, has a Kinesiology degree and worked in physical therapy.

Fun fact: Lorenzo loves working out and watching sports.

Daniel Campos – Academy Graduate

Originally from Porterville, Daniel worked as an EMT before joining APD.

Fun fact: Danel is a big Star Wars fan!

Phillip Rollins – Lateral Officer

Born in Arkansas, raised in the East Bay and came to us from the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department. He values family, faith and a clean car.

Fun fact: Washing his car is Phillip’s favorite hobby!

That brings the total number of sworn officers on the force to 87 out of 115 in the budget.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Assault with a deadly weapon

By Lt. Matthew Koch #3018, Antioch Police Field Services Division

Officers with the Antioch Police Department are investigating a shooting that sent one woman to the hospital. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at approximately 8:51 PM, Antioch police officers responded to the 3900 block of Delta Fair Blvd. for a reported shooting. When officers arrived, they located a 31-year-old female victim suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Responding officers immediately provided first aid until relieved by paramedics. The victim was transported to an area hospital, where she is listed in critical condition.

Officers are currently on scene canvassing the area. Based on the initial investigation, it appears to be an isolated incident. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time.

Darnel Manuel Scott has a history of arrests throughout Bay Area

By Acting Lt. Bill Whitaker #6155, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department

On May 15, the Fairfield Police Department and Antioch Police Department executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Fairfield. The suspect, 22-year-old Darnel Manuel Scott (born 7/6/2002), was arrested without incident for homicide. Evidence from the home was collected.

As previously reported, on January 6, 2025, at approximately 10:17 AM, Antioch police officers responded to the 3900 block of Rockford Drive near Rocky Point Drive for a reported shooting. Dispatch received multiple calls of a man down suffering from gunshot wounds.

When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old victim on the ground. Responding officers immediately began life saving measures until relieved by paramedics. The victim was later identified as Natali Cisneros who was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene nvestigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit took over the investigation.

On 05-20-2025 The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office filed the case for charges:

1. PC187 (a) – Murder

2. PC190.2(a)(15): Special Allegation-Murder By Lying In Wait

3. PC190.2(a)(22): Special Allegation-Street Gang Murder

4. PC12022.53(d): Special Allegation-Personal And Intentional Discharge Of A Firearm, GBI

5. PC12022.53(d): Special Allegation-Principal’s Intentional Discharge Of A Firearm, GBI – Gang Case

The Antioch Police Department would like to thank our law enforcement partners from Fairfield Police Department and San Francisco Police Department (Major Crimes GTF – Gang Task Force, Homicide Unit, Crime Gun Investigations Center – CGIC).

This is still an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time. Any further information or additional press releases will be provided by the Investigations Bureau.

According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the six-foot, one-inch tall, 160-pound Scott is Black and being held in the Martinez Detention Facility. According to localcrimenews.com, he has a history of arrests dating to 2021 by multiple agencies including San Francisco PD, Daly City PD, the Sheriff’s Departments of San Francisco, Solano and San Mateo counties in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and most recently on April 3, 2025. Scott crimes include multiple weapons possession charges including machine gun, assault with a firearm on a person, willful cruelty toward children, child endangerment, burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, hit-and-run, evasion and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer.

Additional inquiries or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Duffy at (925) 779-6884 or by emailing aduffy@antiochca.gov,

Convicted April 30, Devon Wenger claims innocence, calls them “bogus charges against me,” awaits sentencing, suing APD for 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.”

He shared copies of both his Motion of Acquittal and for a New Trial, and lawsuit filed filed Feb. 28, 2025, against the Antioch Police Department and former Antioch Police Lieutenant Powell Meads, who was Wenger’s superior officer. The complaint claims retaliation, discrimination, hostile workplace harassment, failure to prevent harassment, discrimination or retaliation and requests damages and a trial.

UPDATE: Wenger Offers Additional Comments, Claims He’s “Being Framed”

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:

Case Name and Number	Statute(s)	Defendant (Bold: multiple case numbers)	Status
Fraud 23-cr-00264	18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud)	Patrick Berhan	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
Obstruction 23-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 Distribution 23-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 Rights 23-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 Distribution 24-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 Fraud 24-cr-00502	18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud)	Daniel Harris	Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 8/19/25

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.