Former Antioch Officer Charged with Bank Fraud in Addition to Steroids Distribution Case

Federal prosecutors in Oakland have added a bank fraud charge against former Antioch officer Daniel James Harris, who was already facing a steroids distribution case. The new charge comes as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption within the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments. Harris now faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison if convicted of bank fraud, although the actual sentence is expected to be significantly less.

According to charging records, Harris is accused of devising a scheme to defraud a financial institution in February 2022. The exact amount of money involved in the alleged fraud has not been disclosed. The charge was filed shortly before a series of raids conducted by the FBI and Contra Costa District Attorney’s office targeting former East Contra Costa police officers.

Harris was one of 14 ex-Antioch and Pittsburg officers charged last year in connection with the corruption investigation. Until now, he had been facing a single charge related to the distribution of steroids, along with another officer named Devon Wenger. Interestingly, the addition of the bank fraud charge marks the beginning of the end of the prosecution against Harris, as prosecutors have indicated a proposed resolution that would require him to plead guilty to at least one federal offense to settle both cases. The details of this resolution have not been made public.

Harris has been out of custody since the charges were initially filed in August 2023. Other individuals implicated in the investigation face more serious charges, including a scheme to defraud the cities of Antioch and Pittsburg through college degree fraud. Additionally, three Antioch police officers, including Wenger, are accused of conspiring to assault individuals while on duty. Wenger’s legal team has challenged the legality of a warrant used to search his phone and argued that he had legally obtained the steroids.