All defendants implicated in a federal kickback scheme involving former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton have pleaded guilty, effectively ending the criminal case ahead of its scheduled trial. The remaining defendants, Antonio Ross, 49, and Alfonzo Lewis, 49, entered guilty pleas on October 13 to federal wire fraud charges in the Northern District of Illinois. Both face penalties that could include up to 20 years in prison.
Horton, 49, previously reached a plea agreement earlier this month, admitting guilt on three of the original 16 felony counts against him, which encompassed wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion. Judge Thomas M. Durkin has set Horton’s sentencing for January 5, 2027. Samuel Ross, 47, the first of the four to accept a plea deal, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on September 29. All four men had initially pleaded not guilty, and the trial—originally scheduled to commence October 21—was thereby averted.
Federal prosecutors allege that Horton orchestrated the scheme by using his school superintendent position to influence the approval of District 65 contracts, directing work toward companies owned by the three men in exchange for kickbacks and additional payments. The indictment details that Antonio Ross received approximately $119,500 from District 65 contracts and paid Horton at least $41,900 in cash kickbacks. Lewis secured about $24,000 in contracts, providing Horton with at least $6,000 in illicit payments. Samuel Ross was awarded contracts totaling $124,500 for purported loss-prevention services and paid Horton approximately $30,000 in kickbacks. Notably, Samuel and Antonio Ross are not related.
The indictment further states that the three associates made false representations to mask Horton’s personal financial benefits from the contract awards. Prosecutors have indicated that Horton’s plea agreement is expected to reduce his potential sentence, which could range from seven to nine years in prison. While he faces a maximum of 20 years on the wire fraud charge alone, this agreement may mitigate the ultimate punishment. Originally, Horton stood indicted on 17 charges following his October 2025 arraignment, though one charge has since been dismissed.
Sentencing dates have been scheduled for Lewis on January 25, 2027, and Antonio Ross on March 10, 2027. Samuel Ross’s sentencing date has yet to be determined. Following Horton’s sentencing, prosecutors plan to move to dismiss the remaining charges against the defendants.
In a separate legal matter, Horton faces an indictment in Georgia concerning aggravated assault and cruelty to children, stemming from a February 2026 domestic dispute with his wife. No trial date has been set in Georgia. Horton resigned from his role as superintendent of District 65 in 2023 before accepting the superintendent position in the DeKalb County School District in Georgia.