Devon Horton’s Legal Troubles in Georgia and Illinois

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

Separate from this, Horton faces federal charges in Illinois. He was federally indicted in October 2025 for allegedly engaging in a kickback scheme and misusing District 65 funds during his tenure as superintendent. He led District 65 for four years until his resignation in 2023. Horton then became the superintendent of DeKalb County School District but stepped down after his Illinois indictment and subsequent administrative leave, as noted by the DeKalb County School District.

Georgia Indictment Details

Horton’s indictment in Georgia, filed in DeKalb County Superior Court, includes one felony count of aggravated assault by strangulation and two misdemeanor charges of cruelty to children. As reported in jail records, the alleged assault involved attempted strangulation in the presence of Horton’s two children, leading to the cruelty charges. DeKalb County police responded to a domestic disturbance call from Horton’s Stone Mountain residence on January 16. Authorities concluded that a verbal dispute had escalated.

Horton posted a $27,000 bond and is set to appear for his arraignment on September 2. His attorney, Alasia Dalton, has not commented on the indictment as per Pioneer Press.

Federal Charges in Illinois

Horton is scheduled to return to Illinois for a federal trial starting in October. He faces 17 counts, including wire fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement, which could result in up to 290 years in prison, according to Pioneer Press calculations. Federal prosecutors claim Horton approved work contracts for companies linked to three former Chicago Public Schools employees—Antonio Ross, Alfonzo Lewis, and Samuel Ross—from 2020 to 2023. These companies allegedly did minimal work and issued fake invoices, allowing Horton to collect nearly $81,000 in kickbacks.

At the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago, Horton entered a not guilty plea to the federal charges last October. The District 65 Board expressed concern and frustration over the allegations but refrained from further comment to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Career Background

Horton’s career started at Chicago Public Schools, where he worked as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent for East St. Louis Public School District 189. Prior to District 65, he served as chief of schools for Jefferson County in Kentucky for five years.