Former DeKalb Schools Superintendent Devon Horton arrested on assault and child cruelty charges in DeKalb County

Arrest follows domestic incident allegation; Horton also faces separate federal indictment tied to prior Illinois job

Former DeKalb County School District Superintendent Devon Q. Horton was arrested Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, and booked into the DeKalb County Jail on two charges: aggravated assault/strangulation and cruelty to children in the third degree. The arrest stems from an alleged domestic dispute, and police said children were present during the incident.

Jail booking records show Horton was taken into custody Saturday afternoon. Authorities have not publicly detailed whether Horton has been released or whether a bond has been set, and court records associated with an initial appearance were not immediately available.

What police allege happened

Investigative records tied to the arrest describe an argument inside a home that escalated into physical contact. The allegation includes that Horton placed his hands around his wife’s neck and pushed her toward a wall after a disagreement involving a door being slammed. A child witnessed the incident, according to the same records.

The documents indicate that the alleged victim did not show visible injuries when officers responded, but described feeling as if she might faint during the encounter. The charges filed reflect both the alleged strangulation and the presence of a child during the incident.

Background: A high-profile departure from DeKalb

Horton was hired to lead DeKalb County’s public school system in 2023. He resigned in late 2025 after federal prosecutors in Illinois charged him in a separate case connected to his previous employment in suburban Chicago.

In that federal matter, a grand jury in Chicago indicted Horton on 17 counts that include wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax offenses. Prosecutors allege that, while serving as superintendent of Evanston-Skokie School District 65 from 2020 to 2023, Horton steered school district contracts to associates and received tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks, while also misusing district funds for personal expenses and failing to report income. Horton has pleaded not guilty in the federal case.

What happens next

• The DeKalb County criminal charges will proceed through the local court system, where prosecutors may present evidence for a bond decision and future hearings.

• The Illinois federal case remains separate and will continue on its own schedule in federal court.

The DeKalb County School District said the reported arrest involves an alleged incident not related to the school system and that it would not provide additional comment while the matter remains active.

The allegations in both cases remain unproven. Horton is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.