Antioch Police Scandals Result in 13 Job Losses, Multiple Disciplinary Actions

Thirteen Antioch police officers have lost their jobs as a result of dual scandals involving alleged crimes and racism within the department, according to recently obtained emails sent by department commanders to city officials. The revelations shed light on the extent of the disciplinary actions taken against officers involved in the texting scandal and those accused of committing crimes.

Among the 13 job losses, seven officers were fired over the texting scandal, three were fired for alleged criminal activities, and three resigned in anticipation of impending harsh discipline. Additionally, six officers received unpaid suspensions, one received a written reprimand, and one officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.

City officials attempted to fire or discipline several more officers, but their decisions were reversed or reduced through arbitration hearings. An attorney representing the majority of the implicated officers accused the city of failing to follow its own disciplinary policy and predicted that some officers would return with back pay.

The texting scandal involved six officers, including Sgt. Josh Evans, who admitted to being a “racist” cop and used racial slurs in texts to colleagues. Officer John Ramirez offered a “prime rib dinner” to any officer who fired a less-lethal round at Antioch’s Black mayor, Lamar Thorpe-Hernandez. The other four officers involved were identified as Kelly Inabnett, Brayton Milner, Aaron Hughes, and Brock Marcotte.

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe-Hernandez expressed his commitment to rebuilding the department and hiring a more diverse group of individuals who do not represent the past of racism and corruption.

The fired officers have the right to appeal and have sought legal counsel. The city’s attempts to impose harsher discipline on additional officers were halted by arbitrators who ruled that proper procedures were not followed.

In a separate criminal investigation, six officers have recently left the Antioch Police Department. Morteza Amiri, Devon Wenger, Eric Rombough, Ben Padilla, Calvin Prieto, and Andrea Rodriguez were implicated in both the texting scandal and alleged criminal activities. The specific details of whether they were fired or resigned were not disclosed.

Attorney Michael Rains, representing most of the officers, accused the city of disregarding its own disciplinary policy and disciplining officers who had been cleared by external investigators. Rains alleged collusion between the city and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, claiming an agenda-driven approach by the mayor.

Two other officers, Daniel Harris and Samantha Peterson, had previously lost their positions over separate criminal investigations. Harris, charged with steroid distribution, resigned in 2022, while Peterson, a former community services officer, received probation for her involvement in an education pay bump scheme.

The scandals, which involved texting communications containing racism, homophobia, sexism, and discussions about acquiring steroids, came to light more than two years ago when FBI agents raided the homes of several East Contra Costa cops and police headquarters. Fourteen law enforcement personnel faced criminal charges, and an administrative investigation was launched.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed as a result of the scandals, and Contra Costa County has allocated significant funds to identify potentially affected criminal cases. Defense attorneys, including the public defender’s office, have filed petitions for dismissal under the state’s Racial Justice Act for individuals prosecuted based on Antioch police investigations.

Several federal suits have also been filed, alleging assault or unfair targeting by Antioch officers. The most recent court case involved former Antioch officer Matthew Nutt, who was acquitted of a misdemeanor assault charge for beating a handcuffed man in 2022.