Leighann Kingsbury. Photos courtesy of her sister.
By Allen D. Payton
According to Antioch Police Lt. Joe Njoroge, a pedestrian was struck by a train on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7, 2025, in the area of 6th and A Streets. BNSF, the railroad company, are the primary investigators, he added.
According to Contra Costa County Deputy Coroner Aaron Carson, the victim was identified as Leighann Kingsbury, 34 years old, from Massachusetts.
Antioch homeless advocate Nichole Gardner spoke with Kingsbury’s sister who said she was from Worcester and moved here 14 years ago and confirmed Leighann was unhoused at the time of her death.
The vehicle of a main participant in last Friday night’s sideshow in Antioch was seized and towed. Photo: CHP Contra Costa
23rd vehicle impounded
By CHP Contra Costa
As a result of Friday night’s joint enforcement operation in the City of Antioch, CHP Investigators have seized a vehicle belonging to one of the main participants involved in the illegal sideshow activity.
This action follows the disruption of two large-scale sideshows, involving more than 200 vehicles and 300 spectators. During the operation, 22 vehicles were initially impounded, and multiple arrests were made. (See related article)
This latest seizure reinforces our ongoing commitment to holding individuals accountable for reckless and dangerous driving behavior that puts the community at risk.
This enforcement effort was made possible through the coordinated work of the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Investigative Services Unit, Contra Costa CHP, Antioch Police Department, and CHP Office of Air Operations.
Sideshows are not just dangerous — they’re criminal. Vehicle seizures and arrests will continue for those involved.
As previously reported, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of D and W. 19th Streets. When officers arrived on scene, they located four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All were men. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victims at the scene. Two victims died at the scene.
On Friday, September 26, 2025, Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, identified the two deceased men as Julio Castaneda, age 33, out of Oakley and Thomas Vega Espinoza, age 42, whose city of residence is unknown
They were initially reported as ages 23 and 37 years old.
Lt. Bill Whitaker confirmed the ages provided by Lee saying, “Those ages are correct. We didn’t have them 100 percent identified, initially. We got a bad name from a family member, and it wasn’t actually the right person.”
“Both were innocent victims and not even the intended targets,” he added.
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, responded to take over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
DA Diana Becton in Feb. 2025. Source: CCCDA’s Office
On September 18th, 2025, a federal jury in Oakland, CA found a former Antioch police officer guilty of conspiracy against rights, marking another step toward accountability in a painful chapter for Antioch and Pittsburg. (See related article)
This case is part of a broader investigation that began in 2021 into misconduct by several officers entrusted to protect the public, including actions that fall under the broad category of crimes involving moral turpitude.
When a law is broken—especially by those sworn to enforce it—it is not just a legal violation, but an offense against the entire community. That is why in every criminal case, the District Attorney represents The People of the State of California. The harm caused by these individuals was felt by the public at large, and it is our duty and responsibility to pursue justice on behalf of all those affected.
I am grateful to our federal partners, our state and local investigators, and prosecutors who worked tirelessly on these cases on behalf of the residents of Antioch and Pittsburg. Thanks to these combined efforts, both cities have begun to rebuild trust and take meaningful steps toward restoring integrity in their public institutions. These efforts are crucial to ensuring safer, more just communities for all. Our office remains firmly committed to that mission.
Following the crash of the suspects’ car, Orey Douglas was arrested, and a gun was recovered on August 4, 2024. Photos: Brentwood PD
28-year-old Orey Douglas of Antioch and 38-year-old Sam Gray of Oakley
Douglas has a history of arrests since 2014 for murder, corporal injury, assault, sex with a minor, vehicle theft, false imprisonment, more
By Brentwood Police Department
On August 4th, 2024, Brentwood officers responded to an armed robbery that occurred at 50 Sand Creek Road. The victim reported being robbed at gunpoint by two suspects, identified as 28-year-old Orey Azniam Douglas of Antioch and 38-year-old Sam Donte Gray of Oakley (formerly of Concord – born 11-10-85). After both suspects were identified they were placed under arrest and charges were filed.
As previously reported, they robbed Los Mexicanos Market, Douglas was arrested that night and Gray remained at large until he was arrested on August 8, 2024. Douglas was charged with second-degree robbery and three firearms-related charges.
On March 3, 2025, the suspectswere found guilty of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, along with numerous firearm charges and enhancements.
As of early this month, Gray will serve a 13-year prison sentence and Douglas will serve a 7-year prison sentence.
According to localcrimenews.com, the six-feet, three-inch tall, 215-pound Douglas is Black and has a history of arrests dating back to 2014 by multiple agencies including police departments in Antioch, Hayward, Fremont, BART, Oakland, San Jose, Vacaville, as well as Sheriff’s Departments in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties, and Contra Costa CHP. Charges include murder, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, multiple gun crimes, sex with a minor and unlawfully causing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act by force, carjacking, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, false imprisonment, threatening a witness, evading police and resisting arrest.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department, the five-feet, nine-inch tall, 217-pound Gray is Black and was held in the Martinez Detention Facility on $140,0000 bail.
According to localcrimenews.com, he was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, assault with a firearm on a person, felony parole violation and addict in possession of a firearm. Gray was previously arrested on Sept. 8, 2023, by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department on order for a person’s removal from prison to appear in court.
This case was a collaborative effort with our officers, Detectives, along with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. We are pleased this investigation has resulted in sentencing, and we commend the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this case forward.
Former Antioch Police Officer Devon Wenger was found guilty by a jury on September 18, 2025. Herald file photo
Devon Wenger could face 10 years in prison
Previously convicted on steroid, obstruction charges, claims innocence, is a whistleblower being framed, suing APD
One of 10 Antioch, Pittsburg cops investigated by DA, FBI
By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California
OAKLAND – A federal jury, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, convicted former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights. The jury’s verdict follows a seven-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 other Antioch Police Department officers to use unreasonable force to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate residents of Antioch, California.
“Public trust must be at the forefront of the duty to protect. By using unnecessary and unreasonable force under the guise of law enforcement, Wenger betrayed the community he was entrusted to protect. Officers who hold themselves above the law and dishonor their oath of office will be held to account. The people of Antioch deserve no less,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.
“Today’s conviction makes clear that when an officer violates the civil rights of those he was sworn to protect, it will not be overlooked or excused. This marks the second time a jury has held Devon Wenger accountable, and it reflects the FBI’s commitment to pursuing justice in every instance where authority is abused. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that those who betray the public’s trust face consequences,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez.
According to the evidence at trial, Wenger and two other Antioch Police Department officers, Morteza Amiri and Eric Rombough, communicated with each other and others about using and intending to use excessive force against individuals in and around Antioch. The uses of excessive force included deployment of a K9, deployment of a 40mm “less lethal” launcher, and other unnecessary violence. The evidence showed that Wenger and others deployed uses of force as punishment to subjects beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system. Wenger also withheld details about uses of excessive force from police reports and other official documents.
The jury convicted Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241. The court dismissed a second count that charged Wenger with deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.
Previously, Wenger claimed one incident of excessive use of force in which a 40mm less lethal round was deployed was under direct order of his superior officer.
Previously Convicted on Steroid, Obstruction Charges, Claims Innocence, is a Whistleblower Being Framed, Suing APD
As previously reported, Wenger was convicted in May of conspiracy to distribute steroids and obstruction of justice following a jury trial in April 2025. However, following that conviction the former Antioch officer said, “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.”
He also provided further explanation of the steroid charges.
Regarding the obstruction of justice charge, Wenger said, “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.”
Further, he claimed earlier this year he’s a whistleblower being framed.
“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.”
“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,” Wenger added.
He shared copies of both his Motion of Acquittal and for a New Trial, and lawsuit 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.
In addition, in a November 2024 interview, Wenger and his then-attorney Nicole Castronovo argued evidence used against Wenger was unlawfully obtained, undermining his right to a fair trial. Castronovo further alleged prosecutors improperly withheld key exculpatory information from the defense.
They further claimed, in testimony given on October 25, 2024, Larry J. Wallace, Senior Inspector with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, admitted he illegally mishandled sensitive data and failed to seal private information during his involvement in the FBI investigation of the Antioch Police Department in 2021. The mishandling of that evidence resulted in the unauthorized use of Wenger’s personal communications and violated his legal right to privacy. It also violated the stringent rules of CalECPA (California Electronic Communications Privacy Act).
Remanded to Custody Awaiting Dec. 2 Sentencing
The Court ordered Wenger remanded to custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. 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.
One of 10 Antioch, Pittsburg Cops Prosecuted, Convicted Part of DA, FBI Investigations
These civil rights charges against Wenger were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud. The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:
Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
Morteza Amiri
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 4/24/24
Ernesto Mejia-Orozco
Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez
Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24
Obstruction23-cr-00267
18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Timothy Manly Williams
Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 10/7/25
Steroid Distribution23-cr-00268
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids)
Daniel Harris
Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 10/7/25
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Devon Wenger
Convicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending
Civil Rights23-cr-00269
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)
Morteza Amiri
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
Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 10/7/25
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law)
Devon Wenger
Convicted at trial 9/18/25, sentencing 12/2/25
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
UPDATE: All males: 33- and 42-year-old homicide victims, 36-year-old in stable condition, 15-year-old in critical condition
By Lt. William Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On September 18, 2025, at approximately 10:21 p.m., the Antioch Police Department dispatch center received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of D Street and W. 19th Street. When officers arrived on scene, they located four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Antioch police officers provided aid to the victims at the scene. Two victims died at scene, 23- and 37-year-old men, and two victims were transported to area hospitals. One victim (36-year-old male) is in stable condition, and the other victim (15-year-old male) is in critical condition.
9/26/25 UPDATE: According to Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, the two deceased were identified as Julio Castaneda, age 33, out of Oakley and Thomas Vega Espinoza, age 42, whose city of residence is unknown. They were initially reported as ages 23 and 37 years old.
Antioch Police Lt. Bill Whitaker confirmed the ages provided by Lee saying, “Those ages are correct. We didn’t have them 100 percent identified, initially.”
The Antioch Police Department’s Investigations Bureau, consisting of Crime Scene Investigators and detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit, responded to take over the investigation. This is an active investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.
Additional inquiries, tips, or information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective John Cox at (925) 481-8147 or by email at jcox@antiochca.gov.
There have now been five homicides and 13 shootings in the city this year.
47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini Jr. knows 44-year-old Brentwood victim; released from hospital with serious injuries
By Lt. Bill Whitaker #6155, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau
On Friday, September 5, 2025, at approximately 1:29 PM, Antioch Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the 3500 block of Lone Tree Way. Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old female victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was stabilized at the scene by paramedics before she was transported to an area hospital for treatment. She is currently in stable condition and is expected to survive. (See related article)
On Wednesday, September 17, Antioch Police Department detectives arrested the suspect, 47-year-old Silvio Roberto Belini, Jr. of Brentwood, without incident for this shooting. Antioch Police detectives also executed a search warrant at an undisclosed address in Brentwood in connection with this shooting. Evidence from the home was collected.
Asked about the victim, Lt. Whitaker said, “She had surgery and was discharged from the hospital about a week later. She still has serious injuries.”
Asked if the two know each other and if it was a marital issue, he said, “They do know each other but we’re not releasing any other information. It’s still under investigation.”
This information is made available by the Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Becerra at (925) 779-6937 or Antioch Police Dispatch at (925) 778-2441. Anonymous tips or information about this – or any other incident – can be sent via text to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ANTIOCH.
No additional information about Belini could be found in online search. Please check back later for any updates to this report.
