This week on Black Coffee, Crime & Crochet, we’re heading to Evanston, Illinois — where former superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, once celebrated for championing educational equity, now faces a 17-count federal indictment. From kickbacks and shell companies to embezzled p-card purchases, this case shows what happens when reform turns into reward points. Jasmine C. L. Prince unpacks how a respected public servant allegedly steered nearly $300 K in district funds to his friends, pocketed $80 K+ in kickbacks, and walked away just in time to take another top job. It’s a story of ambition, betrayal, and the price of broken trust in public education.  

🧾 Episode Overview

• Topic: Federal indictment of Dr. Devon Horton, former Evanston/Skokie D65 superintendent
• Theme: When equity advocacy collides with financial fraud
• Location: Evanston, IL → DeKalb County, GA

Key Takeaways

1. Horton rose from equity champion to indicted official in just three years.
2. The alleged scheme funneled public contracts to three friends’ shell companies.
3. More than $30 K was spent on personal items via a district credit card.
4. Institutional trust + pandemic urgency created the perfect cover for misuse.
5. The fallout spread to Georgia’s third-largest school district.

🧋 Honey Bun Iced Latte (Via TikTok @JessNicole__) 

• 1/2 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup
• 2 pumps (2 tbsp) White Chocolate Sauce OR 1 pump (1 tbsp White Chocolate Sauce and 1 tbsp White Chocolate Syrup)
• Espresso (Instant or Pod-I ended up using 3 shots)
• Line cup with White Chocolate Sauce
• Add ice, milk of choice, and espresso
• Top with cold foam an Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkles

       Vanilla Bean Sweet Cream Cold Foam

• 3 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 pumps Vanilla Bean Syrup

🧶 Crochet Corner Vintage Peace Sweater Pattern from Kakes Kreations

Kakes Kreations took a classic turtleneck design and gave it a chic, modern twist. This 10 page pattern will walk you through how to create your version of the “Vintage Peace” Sweater. It includes colorful pictures, and helpful notes. Purchase the pattern HERE while it's on sale! 

🧠 Episode Highlights

• The Ascent: Horton’s decorated career, from Chicago Public Schools to Evanston/Skokie D65
• The Breach: Federal prosecutors outline kickbacks & embezzlement totaling $300 K+
• The Cover-Up: Alleged tax evasion and oversight failures inside D65
• The Fallout: Suspension from DeKalb County Schools (GA) and political uproar
• Sip or Spill: Jasmine reflects — “He became the very system he warned us about.”

📰 Sources
Reporting from CBS News
The Daily Northwestern
11Alive
AP News
Official releases from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Evanston-Skokie School District 65