Former District 65 Official Pleaded Guilty to Fraud
Devon Horton admitted to wire fraud and embezzlement charges regarding contracts during his time in Evanston.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Former Evanston-Skokie District 65 leader Devon Horton pleaded guilty to three felony charges, including wire fraud and tax evasion. The plea follows an indictment involving a scheme to misappropriate district contract funds for personal use.
Why it matters
The case highlights the misuse of taxpayer-funded procurement systems for personal gain. Following his departure from District 65 in 2023, Horton faced allegations that he funneled district funds to companies owned by his co-defendants.
Horton now faces a potential prison sentence of seven to nine years, reduced from the maximum 20-year sentence associated with the initial 17-count indictment. Sentencing is currently set for January 5.
The players
Devon Horton
He is the former official of Evanston-Skokie District 65 who faced charges of fraud and embezzlement.
Thomas Durkin
He is the federal judge presiding over the case and responsible for setting the sentencing date.
Samuel Ross
He is a co-defendant in the fraud scheme who pleaded guilty to his involvement last week.
Antonio Ross
He is a co-defendant in the case who has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Alfonzo Lewis
He is a co-defendant in the case who has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The details
Horton admitted to approving district contracts with vendors owned by co-defendants in exchange for a portion of the contract funds. Additionally, investigators found that he used an Evanston-Skokie District 65 P-Card for personal expenses.
Timeline
Horton left his employment at District 65 in 2023.
Prosecutors dropped one charge against Horton in September 2026.
Samuel Ross entered a guilty plea in September 2026.
Devon Horton entered his guilty plea in federal court on October 5, 2026.
The court scheduled Horton's sentencing for January 5.
Legal Context
This case follows the pattern set by the 2023 federal prosecution of municipal corruption in Illinois regarding the misuse of public school funds. Such prosecutions reflect ongoing efforts by federal authorities to curb embezzlement within local administrative districts.
The resolution of this case provides clarity on the administrative oversight of local school funds. Residents can monitor future court filings as the plea agreement becomes public to understand the full impact on District 65 operations.
The takeaway
The plea deal marks the conclusion of a significant portion of the investigation into the management of District 65. Public officials are reminded that the misuse of institutional payment cards and contract approvals remains a focus for federal prosecutors.
What happens next
The sentencing hearing for Devon Horton is scheduled to take place on January 5.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston Now.
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