OAKLAND — A former Antioch policeman who pleaded guilty to committing crimes of violence while on-duty is to be called as a witness against his two former colleagues who face similar allegations, prosecutors revealed Thursday.
In a court filing, prosecutors with the Northern California U.S. Attorney’s office said that Eric Rombough “is expected to testify” at an upcoming trial against ex-Antioch cops Morteza Amiri and Devon Wenger. At a Tuesday court appearance, Rombough pleaded guilty to conspiracy and deprivation of rights, in an agreement that will give him a reduced sentence in exchange for government cooperation.
Wenger and Amiri are set to go on trial in March, and testimony is expected to last roughly a month, the court filing says.
Amiri, Rombough, and Wenger were among 14 officers from Antioch and Pittsburg who were criminally indicted in 2023, but only four of the 14 faced allegations involving violence or use of force. Prosecutors allege the three officers pre-planned violence while on-duty, falsified reports to cover their tracks, and egged each other on after using excessive force.
One other officer, Tim Manly-Williams, was accused of breaking an onlooker’s cellphone during an arrest, and of warning an Oakland gang member to an ongoing wiretap investigation. Other charges included participation in a fraud scheme, accepting bribes to make traffic tickets go away, and steroid distribution.
Rombough and Amiri also used racial slurs to refer to Black people in group texts that included dozens of other cops, according to reports compiled by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office last year. Prosecutors say they expect Rombough’s cross-examination to be “lengthy.”
At Tuesday’s court hearing, Rombough admitted he had “used my authority to injure and intimidate people” and agreed with a government proffer that accused him, Amiri, and Wenger of assaulting people on several occasions. The three conspired with other Antioch police officers who were not indicted, prosecutors said in court.
“I’m here to accept responsibility for what I’ve done and what I’ve been charged with,” Rombough said in court on Tuesday.
