Antioch Police Officers responded to a home on Catanzaro Way where the suspect was barricaded on Wed., April 8, 2026. Photo by Allen D. Payton
Police negotiate for nearly 3 hourswith 40-year-old who threatened to kill a man; also arrested last month
By Lt. Michael Mellone, Antioch Police Department
ANTIOCH, CA – Antioch police took an armed barricaded suspect into custody Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2026, following a nearly three-hour standoff at a home on Catanzaro Way.
At about 1:40 p.m., dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a man had pulled a knife and threatened to kill a man at a residence in the 5200 block of Catanzaro Way.
Responding officers identified the suspect as Derek Bradshaw, 40, of Antioch, who was armed with multiple throwing knives and had barricaded himself inside the home.
Crisis Negotiation Officers, along with the Angelo Quinto Community Response Team and Contra Costa County A3 Crisis Response, responded to the scene. Negotiators worked for several hours to convince Bradshaw to surrender peacefully.
During the standoff, Bradshaw climbed onto the roof of the residence and continued to refuse officers’ commands. Officers formed a tactical plan and were able to safely take him into custody.
Bradshaw was arrested on charges of felony criminal threats (Penal Code 422) and brandishing a deadly weapon (Penal Code 417(a)(1)). He will be booked into the Martinez Detention Facility
after receiving medical clearance at a local hospital.
No officers, bystanders or community members were injured during this incident.
The Antioch Police Department would like to thank personnel from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and American Medical Response for their assistance at the scene. We would also like to express our appreciation to area residents for their patience and assistance while officers worked to bring this incident to a safe resolution.
According to localcrimenews.com, Bradshaw is White and was arrested last month also by Antioch Police for battery on a person.
22-year-old Zahvon Hopson is wanted by Antioch Police for a fatal shooting. Photo: Antioch PD
Seek public’s help locating him
By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau
Antioch Police Department detectives identified 21-year-old Zahvon Hopson as the suspect in the shooting of a 20-year-old female on February 19 through a combination of video surveillance, witness statements, and forensic evidence.
Hopson should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are advised not to confront him. Anyone who sees Hopson in public or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately. Hopson is also encouraged to peacefully surrender to the Antioch Police Department.
Upon arrival, officers located a 20-year-old woman who was suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers immediately rendered medical aid; however, she died at the scene.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, including Crime Scene Investigators and detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit, responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. The suspect is known to police.
During the course of the investigation, if detectives identify any individuals who assisted Hopson in evading law enforcement, or anyone who knowingly assists Hopson in the future, they will be subject to arrest for accessory under Penal Code section 32.
According to localcrimenews.com, Hopson was arrested on July 7, 2023, while a Richmond resident, for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. As an Antioch resident, he was also arrested on April 17, 2025, for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and intoxicated in public.
The Investigations Bureau will provide additional updates as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Shaffer at (925) 779-6944 or via email at cshaffer@antiochca.gov.
BART is accepting applications for four volunteer position(s) on the BART Police Civilian Review Board (BPCRB) from Thursday, March 12, 2026 through Friday, June 12, 2026.
The BPCRB is comprised of 11 members and residents of the following counties: Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo or San Francisco. The Appointments will be made by President Melissa Hernandez, District 5; and Director Janice Li, District 8. The full BART Board of Directors will appoint the vacant Public-at-Large seat.
Members of the BPCRB work to increase the public’s confidence in BART’s Policing services by:
Reviewing, recommending and monitoring the implementation of changes to police policies, procedures, and practices
Receiving citizen allegations of on-duty police misconduct
Advising Board of Directors, General Manager, Independent Police Auditor, and Police Chief
Participating in recommending appropriate disciplinary action
Meeting periodically with representatives of the BART Police associations
Participating in community outreach
Duties and Responsibilities:
Receive citizen allegations of on-duty police misconduct
Participate in recommending appropriate disciplinary action.
Advise Board of Directors, Independent Police Auditor and Police Chief
Review, recommend and monitor implementation of changes to police policies, procedures & practices.
Meet periodically with representatives of the BART Police associations
Participate in community outreach
BPCRB Member Qualifications:
Must reside within Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco or San Mateo counties
Fair minded and objective
Demonstrated commitment to community service
Not currently employed in a law enforcement capacity, either sworn or non-sworn
Not a relative of current or former BART Police Department personnel
No felony convictions
Final Filing Date – Application deadline is Thursday, June 12, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. (PST)
Please download the printable application and return the application form and relevant attachments to the BART Office of the District Secretary at:
2150 Webster Street, 10th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
You may also submit your application using DocuSign by clicking on the following link: E-Application Please feel free to call the Office of the District Secretary at (510) 464-6083 with any questions. Learn more about the BPCRB by visiting the webpage or BPCRB Recruitment Flyer
Budget requests for infrastructure, transportation, community development, public and environmental health and safety
$1.7 million for Antioch Police Real-Time Operations Center
$10 million forVasco Road safety & mobility improvements
By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he advanced over $46.7 million for 20 projects to benefit Contra Costa and Alameda Counties for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. These projects would help to improve quality of life for the people of California’s 10th Congressional District by upgrading infrastructure and transportation accessibility and increasing public and environmental safety.
“Simply put, my number one priority in Congress is to make life better for the people I represent, and the $46.7 million we are advancing will help to do just that by investing in safety and easing congestion for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians alike, housing, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, and more,” said DeSaulnier. “I am continuously grateful to our local governments and organizations for their thoughtful project submissions, and I look forward to fighting to see the projects through the legislative process to bring this important funding home.”
Infrastructure Upgrades, Transportation Accessibility and Community Development Projects:
$5,000,000 for the County of Contra Costa to design a new roadway connection that will improve regional mobility between Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties using a connector route that shifts interregional traffic from Byron Highway and local roads in the Town of Byron to Vasco Road, to accommodate higher traffic volumes.
$5,000,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct safety countermeasures along a 12.1-mile segment of Vasco Road between Marsh Creek Road and the Alameda County line in unincorporated Byron, California to decrease the number of accidents on this busy thoroughfare.
$4,000,000 for the City of Brentwood to construct infrastructure and site improvements to prepare a site to house the Brentwood Agricultural Technology Innovation Center.
$2,800,000 for the City of Lafayette to construct the Brown Avenue to Pleasant Hill Road segment of the Aqueduct Pathway, a fully accessible Class I separated bicycle and pedestrian facility located within the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) aqueduct corridor in downtown Lafayette, California.
$2,000,000 for East Bay Regional Park District to construct a dedicated bus staging and drop-off area designed to accommodate regional transit agencies and other visitors, and remove aging rail infrastructure to replace it with accessible, multi-use pathways as part of the second phase of a project to allow for the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park to be opened up to the public.
$2,000,000 for the City of Lafayette to construct a 48-unit development of supportive and affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
$2,000,000 for the City of San Ramon to continue buildout and close gaps in the citywide fiber optic network supporting transportation operations, public safety, and future smart city technologies.
$1,750,000 to the City of Walnut Creek to install a new traffic signal at the intersection between Treat Boulevard and Arkell Road in Walnut Creek, California, which is currently controlled by stop signs.
$1,500,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct separated wheeled (bicycle, e-bike, and scooter) and pedestrian pathways in the Iron Horse Corridor from Bollinger Canyon Road to Crow Canyon Road in the City of San Ramon to separate wheeled and pedestrian modes and improve user safety.
$1,300,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct a new youth center in Brentwood, California that will provide academic counseling and employment training in the culinary field.
$1,296,000 for the City of Orinda to complete pavement rehabilitation work and widening on the Camino Pablo Pathway in Orinda, California to expand and maintain aging infrastructure that currently sees heavy pedestrian use.
Public and Environmental Health and Safety:
$5,000,000 for the City of Concord to make improvements to the City of Concord’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to ensure that it can continue to function as a critical hub for regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.
$3,150,000 for Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to add Densified Activated Sludge (DAS) technology to Central San’s existing large-scale Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) demonstration site and share results with wastewater agencies across the region. DAS and MABR are complementary, cutting-edge technologies that could enhance nitrogen removal and environmental protection while leveraging existing treatment facilities.
$2,000,000 for the City of San Ramon to replace the Police Department’s aging Records Management System (RMS), associated software, and supporting equipment. The project will modernize the City’s public safety technology infrastructure by implementing a next-generation RMS, preserving and migrating existing police records, and integrating with electronic files. The project may also incorporate a unified interface that allows officers and investigators to securely access data from multiple regional law enforcement systems within a single platform, improving efficiency, and reducing the need to switch between separate applications.
$1,800,000 for the County of Contra Costa to build two mobile communications sites to enhance the resiliency of first responder radio communications in the event of a natural disaster or other widespread threat.
$1,684,990 for the City of Antioch to establish a Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) to serve as the Antioch Police Department’s central hub for intelligence and information-sharing, integrating existing technologies—including gunshot detection, public safety cameras and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)—into a unified, citywide system that enhances crime monitoring, investigative efficiency and officer response.
$1,650,000 for the County of Contra Costa to expand Contra Costa County’s ability to prioritize and investigate unsolved nonfatal and fatal violent crime, prevent future crimes, and enhance victim/witness safety through coordinated, data driven investigations, focused prosecution, and survivor support services.
$1,000,000 for the City of Orinda to maintain and improve the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break to reduce the probability of catastrophic fire spread while improving firefighter access and operational effectiveness, specifically by maintaining previously treated areas, conducting hazard tree identification and abatement, and expanding interagency coordination.
$936,930 for the Town of Moraga to replace and upgrade existing police radios, a combined total of 65 handheld portable radios and 44 vehicle mounted mobile radios, used by the Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda police departments.
$923,000 for Mt. View Sanitary District to initiate pump station and collection systems upgrades by studying the root causes of system stress and the most efficient and effective repair methods.
“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for advancing Antioch’s Real-Time Operations Center project for federal consideration. This investment reflects the kind of forward-looking public safety infrastructure cities need to serve growing communities, improve coordination across government functions, and deliver smarter, more effective services to the public,” said Bessie Marie Scott, Antioch City Manager.
“For over 135 years the Iron Horse Trail has connected communities in Contra Costa, with the railroad running from 1891-1978, followed by its use as the much-beloved pedestrian and bicycle trail we enjoy today. This $1.5 million investment in the Iron Horse Trail Double Tracking Pilot is about improving safety and enhancing its use as an active transportation corridor. Creating trail separation allows pedestrians to enjoy their walks on the trail without safety concerns related to faster moving bikes. Bicyclists will be able to use their separated bikeway to get to and from work, school, and transit centers more efficiently,” said Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor (District II).
“We are deeply grateful to Mark DeSaulnier for selecting the Downtown Aqueduct Pathway Project for Community Project Funding consideration. The Congressman’s support is instrumental in helping Lafayette advance a transformative project that will create a safe, continuous, and car-free route between neighborhoods, downtown destinations, and regional transit,” said Carl Anduri, Mayor of Lafayette.
“We are deeply grateful to have the Congressman’s support of these projects, which reflect San Ramon’s commitment to modernizing critical infrastructure, enhancing public safety, and investing in technology that improves the daily lives of our residents,” said Mark Armstrong, Mayor of San Ramon. “We value the Congressman’s continued partnership and advocacy on behalf of the San Ramon community and appreciate the opportunity to advance to Committee review of these transformative investments that will strengthen mobility, resilience, and public safety citywide.”
“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing innovative solutions to one of the Bay Area’s most critical regulatory challenges: reducing nitrogen discharges to the Bay while keeping costs manageable for wastewater customers. The MABR and DAS Bay Area Regional Demonstration Site will advance technologies aimed at better protecting our beautiful Bay, while potentially saving billions of dollars across our region and beyond. We’re grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s vision, leadership, and commitment to clean water infrastructure that benefits our communities and the environment both now and, in the future,” said Roger Bailey, General Manager of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.
“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for his leadership and support in strengthening community safety and supporting survivors of violence. The Contra Costa Unsolved Violent Crime & Victim Safety Initiative expands the county’s ability to prioritize and investigate unsolved shootings and increase clearance rates – which is the percentage of crimes that result in an arrest or other official resolution. Moreover, the initiative pairs data-driven investigations with survivor-centered services to keep victims and witnesses safe, rebuild community trust, and make sure families affected by violence received the justice and attention they deserve,” said Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District Attorney.
“We appreciate Congressman DeSaulnier for championing investments that expand opportunities for young people in East County. The Brentwood Youth Center Project will create a new 15,000 square foot facility offering culinary training in healthcare, culinary arts and skilled trades, academic support, and mental health counseling spaces—providing local youth with safe, modern, and accessible resources right in their community. This project strengthens workforce development into career pathways, supports whole person development, and ensures Brentwood’s young residents have the tools they need to thrive,” said Tamia Brown, Executive Director, Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board.
“On behalf of Contra Costa County, I want to thank Congressman DeSaulnier for his steadfast support of Contra Costa County projects that will provide wide-benefits to the community—from transportation safety improvements on Vasco Road and the Byron Highway, to critical investments in youth development, public safety communications, and solutions that strengthen justice for victims and families. His continued partnership ensures we can deliver safer roads, stronger emergency response, expanded youth opportunities, and improved community safety for residents across all of Contra Costa and beyond. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and his commitment to bringing meaningful federal resources home to Contra Costa,” said Diane Burgis, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
“We are grateful to Representative DeSaulnier and his team for their support of this critical wastewater infrastructure work,” said Lilia Corona, Mt. View Sanitary District General Manager. “The Next-Generation Pump Station and Collection System Projects will bolster the process of replacing equipment at the end of its service life. We’re excited by this major step forward for sanitary operations in Contra Costa County, which will allow Mt. View Sanitary District to continue delivering exceptional service quality to our customers.”
“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for supporting these important infrastructure and wildfire mitigation projects. The Camino Pablo Pathway will enhance pedestrian mobility and connect key parts of our community, while the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break will significantly reduce wildfire risk and strengthen emergency response capabilities across the broader Lamorinda region. These projects represent critical investments in Orinda’s safety, sustainability, and quality of life,” said Brandyn Iverson, Mayor of Orinda.
“We are grateful for the support of Congressman DeSaulnier in advancing the Lamorinda Public Safety Radio Replacement project for funding. Through replacing and upgrading the radios used by the Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda Police Departments, this project will enhance public safety throughout the region and ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped to address emergency situations, evacuations, and other critical incidents. Congressman DeSaulnier’s efforts are helping to keep our communities and law enforcement officers safe with this critical investment in public safety communications equipment,” said Jon King, Chief of Police for the Moraga Police Department.
“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for supporting our community’s continued efforts to make Vasco Road safer for all who rely on it. The Vasco Road Safety Improvements – Phase 3 Project delivers targeted, community‑supported safety upgrades along the corridor, including proven Federal Highway Administration countermeasures designed to reduce collisions and improve visibility. These improvements will help protect commuters and enhance regional mobility along this critical East County route,” said Warren Lai, Director of Public Works, Contra Costa County.
“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his continued leadership and support of vital East County transportation investments,” Lai continued. “The Vasco Road–Byron Highway Connector Project will reduce cut-through traffic in Byron, improve regional mobility between Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties, and enhance safety by providing a more efficient route for commuters and goods movement. This project represents an important step toward long term connectivity and economic opportunity for the region.”
“Brentwood has a robust agricultural history, and a long-standing legacy of providing fresh produce and products from our locally-owned farms to tables across America. This funding investment represents the next chapter in this story and the future of farming. The Agricultural Technology Innovation Center will bring together agriculture, education, and technology to create jobs, support workforce development, and strengthen our nation’s food systems. Federal investment in critical infrastructure is the key to unlocking this opportunity, and we are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s leadership and vision in advancing a project that delivers both regional and national impact,” said Susannah Meyer, Mayor of Brentwood.
“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his strong support of Concord’s Emergency Operations Center upgrades. This investment strengthens our ability to protect residents, coordinate a regional response, and ensure our community is prepared when it matters most,” said Laura Nakamura, Mayor of Concord.
“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for his commitment to strengthening public safety and emergency response across the East Bay. The East Bay Regional Communications System – Mobile Communications Sites on Wheels Project will provide deployable, towable mobile towers that ensure backup radio coverage during disasters, domestic terrorism, or large-scale incidents—significantly enhancing the resiliency, reliability, and interoperability of communications for first responders in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. This investment ensures that when emergencies strike, our communities and safety personnel can rely on a stable, redundant system that keeps critical communications operational when they’re needed most,” said David Swing, Executive Director of the East Bay Regional Communications Authority.
“The City of Walnut Creek greatly appreciates Congressman DeSaulnier’s leadership and continued support in advancing safety for our residents. This critical infrastructure project for a new traffic signal will improve the efficiency of regional traffic, emergency vehicle response times, and safety for all modes of transportation,” said Kevin Wilk, Mayor of Walnut Creek.
Selection and submission of projects to the Appropriations Committee is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. Each project submitted must meet the criteria set forth by the Committee, which can be found here, and must then be passed in the Committee and by both the House and Senate before it becomes law. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process, which is detailed here by the Appropriations Committee. Examples of this vetting include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission. More information on each project and the certifications of no financial interest can be found here.
45-year-old in stable condition, 41-year-old in critical condition
By Acting Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m., Antioch Police officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 4200 block of Lone Tree Way, near Mokelumne Way.
Officers arrived within minutes and searched the area, but no victims were initially located.
A short time later, Antioch Police Dispatch was notified that two adult men arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds. Officers were able to confirm that both individuals, a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old man, were involved in the earlier shooting.
Both men were transported to a trauma center. One is listed in stable condition, and the other remains in critical condition.
The incident has been labeled an attempted homicide and the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau is actively investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Antioch Police Detective Ricardo Angelini at (925) 437-6056 or rangelini@antiochca.gov.
This preliminary information was provided by the Field Services Division. Any additional updates will be released by the Investigations Bureau.
The DUI driver’s tequila bottle and being instructed by an Antioch Police Officer while taking his unsuccessful sobriety test before the arrest on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Photos: Antioch PD
Struck car of lady who called police on him
By Antioch Police Department
On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, near the Antioch Marina, a keen-eyed citizen noticed something was a little off about the driver of a nearby SUV. Moments later, that same driver crashed into her vehicle and took off like he had somewhere very important to be. Unfortunately for him, that destination ended up being jail.
The victim immediately called 9-1-1 and stayed on the line, giving our dispatchers live updates on the suspect’s location as he tried to make his not-so-great escape. Officers quickly caught up, stopped the driver, and confirmed what everyone already suspected, he was under the influence of alcohol.
The suspect, who was too intoxicated to perform field sobriety tests, was arrested for DUI and hit-and-run. A large bottle of tequila was found inside the vehicle.
Big thanks to the alert citizen who kept dispatch updated. Your quick actions helped officers safely locate the suspect and get an impaired driver off the road before anyone else was hurt.
Officers Molina and Loroño and the confiscated loaded gun. Photos: Antioch PD
By Antioch Police Department
Last week Officers Marcos Molina and Alejandro Loroño responded to a ShotSpotter activation for two rounds fired near the 400 block of Lawton Street. When they arrived, community members quickly pointed them toward a group near the train tracks.
Officers contacted several individuals in the area and, through their investigation, identified one individual with multiple outstanding warrants. He was safely detained, and officers located a loaded firearm concealed in his clothing. He was arrested for his warrants and weapon related violations and booked.
We are grateful for the community members who provided information and support during this incident. Your willingness to get involved helps us respond quickly and keep our neighborhoods safe. This is a great example of how teamwork between our officers and the community makes a difference every day.
Former Antioch Police Officer Eric Rombough was sentenced to four years in federal prison. Herald file photo
46-year-old Eric Rombough was charged with conspiring to deprive Antioch residents of their civil rights through use of excessive force, deprivation of rights under color of law, more
By United States Attorney’s Office Northern District of California
OAKLAND – In 2023 and 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with crimes ranging from conspiracy to violate civil rights through excessive use of force to fraud. The last of the ten defendants, Eric Allen Rombough, 46, of Fairfield, was sentenced today to 50 months of imprisonment. Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White handed down all of the sentences. With Rombough’s sentence, the total sentences for all ten defendants exceeds 21 years.
“We entrust law enforcement with vast power, and when they abuse it, they not only betray the oath they took and the community they serve, but they also undermine the public’s trust in our criminal justice system,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “Eric Rombough’s sentencing is an important milestone in our successful, multi-year effort to root out corruption within the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments and we will continue to hold accountable anyone who violates federal law, regardless of their position.”
“The sentencing of Eric Rombough marks the culmination of a years-long investigation driven by the relentless work of FBI agents, analysts, and our law enforcement partners who refused to overlook misconduct, regardless of position or authority. This case underscores a fundamental truth: no one is above the law, especially those entrusted to uphold it. When officers abuse their authority, they undermine the very foundation of public trust. The FBI remains steadfast in pursuing those who betray that trust, and we will continue working to ensure accountability and to help restore confidence in the institutions that serve our communities,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo.
Case No. 23-cr-269 JSW – Civil Rights Violations and Falsification of Records
Rombough, Morteza Amiri, 35, of Antioch, and Devon Christopher Wenger, 33, formerly of Oakley, were charged with conspiring to deprive the residents of Antioch of their civil rights through the use of excessive force, and deprivation of rights under color of law, among other violations. In January 2025, Rombough pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights and two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and agreed to cooperate with the government. According to Rombough’s plea agreement and the evidence presented during two trials, Amiri, Rombough, and Wenger communicated about actual and intended uses of force, including specific violent acts against individuals in and around Antioch, and agreed to carry out such acts knowing their actions constituted excessive uses of force by a police officer under color of law. In particular, they agreed to and/or did deploy uses of force, including police dog bites, as “punishment” to subjects beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system, collected physical or photographic “trophies” following such deployments of excessive force, and communicated after the deployments to tout the applications of force with the exchange of messages and photographs of subjects’ injuries. They also authored reports that contained false or misleading statements to suggest that the force used was necessary or justifiable, when in truth and in fact, they willfully used excessive force.
In March 2025, following an eight-day trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification of records in connection with a July 2019 arrest. Amiri was sentenced to 84 months in prison for these violations and the additional crimes set out below. In September 2025, following a seven-day trial, a jury convicted Wenger of conspiracy against rights. Wenger was sentenced to 90 months in prison for this violation and the additional crimes set out below.
Case No. 23-cr-264 JSW – Salary & Incentives Fraud
Patrick James Berhan, 33, of Oakley; Amiri; Amanda Carmella Theodosy a/k/a Nash, 35, of Discovery Bay; Samantha Genoveva Peterson, 33, of Fairfield; Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, 37, of Oakley; and Brauli Rodriguez Jalapa, 36, of Clayton, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud related to a scheme to obtain pay raises from the police departments of the cities of Antioch and Pittsburg for university degrees they each paid someone else to obtain in their names.
Peterson pleaded guilty to wire fraud in January 2024. Berhan pleaded guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy and wire fraud, and pleaded guilty to an additional charge for possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. Berhan was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment. In June 2024, Mejia-Orozco and Rodriguez Jalapa pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud. In July 2024, Theodosy a/k/a Nash pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud. Mejia-Orozco, Rodriguez Jalapa, and Theodosy a/k/a Nash were each sentenced to three months of imprisonment. In August 2024, following a four-day trial, a jury found Amiri guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud.
Case No. 23-cr-268 JSW – Distribution of Anabolic Steroids and Destruction of Records
Daniel James Harris, 38, formerly of Discovery Bay, and Wenger were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids related to Harris’s distribution of anabolic steroids to Wenger and other police officers, and Wenger’s attempt to secure anabolic steroids from Harris for another friend. Based on these same events, Harris was also charged with attempted possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids and possession to distribute anabolic steroids, and Wenger was charged with destruction, alteration, and falsification of records in federal investigations, the last of which was based on Wenger’s efforts to delete digital evidence of his discussions of anabolic steroids with Harris and his friend.
Harris pleaded guilty to these charges, pleaded guilty to an additional charge for bank fraud, and agreed to cooperate with the government in September 2024. Harris was sentenced to time served for these charges. In April 2025, following a three-day trial, a jury found Wenger guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids and destruction, alteration, and falsification of records.
Case No. 23-cr-267 JSW – Obstruction of Justice
Timothy Manly Williams, 36, of Antioch, was charged with destruction, alteration, and falsification of records in federal investigations, obstruction of official proceedings, and deprivation of rights under color of law. The first two charges were related to a phone call Manly Williams placed while working as a police officer monitoring a wiretap to the subject of the wiretap, and his efforts to destroy or falsify records related to that phone call in the wiretap equipment. The third charge was related to Manly Williams’s knocking a cell phone out of the hand of a citizen who had attempted to record video of a police response at which Amiri deployed his dog to bite a suspect. Manly Williams pleaded guilty to these crimes and agreed to cooperate with the government on November 28, 2023. He was sentenced to 3 years of probation.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo made the announcement.
These cases were prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. These prosecutions were the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.
The following table summarizes the outcomes of these related cases, all of which were before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White:
Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
Morteza Amiri
Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 6/24/25
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 on 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
Cooperated with the government; sentenced to 3 years of probation on 1/13/2026
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
Cooperated with the government; sentenced to time served concurrent with 24-cr-502 on 1/13/2026
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
Sentenced to 90 months custody, 3 years supervised release, concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 12/2/2025
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
Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 6/24/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Eric Rombough
Cooperated with the government; sentenced to 50 months custody on 3/24/2026
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Devon Wenger
Sentenced to 90 months custody, 3 years supervised release, concurrent with 23-cr-268 on 12/2/2025
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
Cooperated with the government; sentenced to time served concurrent with 23-cr-268 on 1/13/2026
