Ex-Antioch Cop Convicted in Civil Rights Conspiracy Amid DOJ Oversight Efforts

Devon Christopher Wenger, a former Antioch police officer, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiring with fellow officers to violate the civil rights of residents through excessive and unnecessary force, including the use of police dogs and less-lethal weapons. The conviction stems from a significant scandal that exposed racist and misogynistic text messages among Antioch officers, leading to charges against 14 former officers and highlighting systemic issues within the department. Wenger was cleared of direct excessive force charges in one incident but was found guilty of conspiracy and other crimes such as steroid distribution and evidence destruction, facing potential prison time. Fellow officers Morteza Amiri and Eric Rombough were also implicated, with Amiri sentenced to seven years for using his police dog excessively and falsifying records, and Rombough cooperating as a witness. The scandal has prompted federal oversight and reforms aimed at transforming the Antioch Police Department's culture, with an independent consultant emphasizing that meaningful change will take years and requires community feedback as a key measure of success. The city faces the possibility of a consent decree if reforms are not adequately implemented, underscoring the gravity of the department's challenges in regaining public trust.