Legal Challenges for Former Superintendent Devon Horton

Former Evanston-Skokie District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton faces serious legal issues. A grand jury in DeKalb County, Georgia indicted him on August 4 on charges of aggravated assault and cruelty to children. These charges stem from a January incident involving a “verbal dispute” with his wife that escalated, according to DeKalb County court records.

The Georgia charges are separate from Horton’s federal indictment in October 2025 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Prosecutors allege a kickback scheme and misappropriation of District 65 funds during his time as superintendent. Horton led District 65 for four years before resigning in 2023. He then moved to DeKalb County School District, but resigned following news of his federal indictment and administrative leave.

Details from DeKalb County Superior Court indicate Horton’s Georgia indictment includes one felony count of aggravated assault with strangulation and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to children. Police responded to Horton’s home in Stone Mountain, Georgia on January 16 after reports of domestic disturbance. Officers discovered that an argument between Horton and his wife became physical. The alleged assault, described as attempted strangulation, occurred in front of his children, leading to misdemeanor charges.

Horton’s attorney, Alasia Dalton, has not commented on the indictment. Horton posted a $27,000 bond and is due in court for his arraignment on September 2.

In Illinois, Horton faces a federal trial starting in October. He was previously arraigned on federal charges of fraud involving 17 counts of wire fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement, carrying potential sentences of 290 years. Prosecutors argue Horton approved contracts for companies owned by his friends, Antonio Ross, Alfonzo Lewis, and Samuel Ross, who received payments for minimal work. Horton allegedly took kickbacks totaling approximately $81,000.

Horton pleaded not guilty to all federal charges. District 65 Board President Sergio Hernandez and Vice President Nichole Pinkard expressed deep concern over the allegations but withheld further comments to avoid affecting the investigation.

Horton’s career prior to District 65 included serving as chief of schools for Jefferson County, Kentucky, for five years. He began his career with Chicago Public Schools, initially as a teacher, then as a principal, and later as assistant superintendent for East St. Louis Public School District 189.