A Philadelphia law enforcement staffer, who was fired for pleading guilty to a prostitution-related misdemeanor, has landed a new high-profile position in the council.
DeVonté Douglass, 34, used to work in a gun violence victims support role in the district attorney’s office before he fatally shot a sex worker in October 2020.
He was fired from his position in 2021 after Philadelphia Municipal Court found out that Douglass had lied about his involvement in the shooting.
The law enforcement staffer was charged with three misdemeanors and was put on probation.
Five years later, Douglass announced that he has started a new job in Philadelphia’s halls of power, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
He will be working for City Council member Jeffery Young Jr as a staffer, according to an internal council email obtained by the outlet.
The council staffer announced the new job in a LinkedIn post last week. However, the post was later deleted, according to the outlet.
‘I look forward to supporting Councilmember Young’s work, serving the residents of Philadelphia, and continuing to advocate for stronger, safer, and more empowered communities,’ Douglass wrote. ‘This is more than a new position. It is another opportunity to serve the city and communities that have shaped who I am.’
DeVonté Douglass announced in a now deleted LinkedIn post that he will be working for City Council as a staffer
He was fired from his gun violence victims support role in the district attorney’s office in 2021 after he pleaded guilty to a prostitution-related misdemeanor
El Shafiyq Asad Ali, Young’s chief of staff, informed the council about Douglass’ hiring.
‘Devonte will manage the Councilman’s calendar and be your primary point of contact for scheduling meetings, events, and other requests for his time,’ Ali wrote.
Douglass was a peer crisis responder in the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner before he was fired.
Douglass initially told the investigators that he met 31-year-old Vernon Harris through Instagram.
The two chatted for a bit and agreed to meet after Douglass paid Harris $250 on CashApp, prosecutors said at the time.
Douglass will be a part of council member Jeffery Young Jr's (seen above) team
The men were armed and during the meeting the council staffer shot Harris dead as an act of self defence. Douglass said that Harris was trying to rob him.
Douglass was not charged in relation to the shooting at the time. However, state prosecutors later alleged that he lied to investigators about why he was meeting Harris.
He was charged with soliciting prostitution, possession of an instrument of crime and misleading investigators.
He pleaded guilty to the prostitution-related misdemeanor in exchange for the other charges being dropped, according to court records. He was sentenced to probation, the outlet reported.
Douglass then worked as a secretary in the Philadelphia court system and volunteered at nonprofit organizations, according to his LinkedIn.
The Daily Mail has reached out to City Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr for comment.
