Ex-DA Staffer Who Shot Sex Worker Hired by City Council
DeVonté Douglass, who pleaded guilty to a prostitution-related misdemeanor after an incident in which he shot a man dead, has taken a new role with a Philadelphia City Council member.
A former staffer for the Philadelphia District Attorney's office, who was fired after pleading guilty to a prostitution-related misdemeanor, has been hired as a staffer for City Council member Jeffery Young Jr.
DeVonté Douglass, 34, was a peer crisis responder in the DA's office before he fatally shot 31-year-old Vernon Harris in October 2020. Douglass was fired in 2021 after the Philadelphia Municipal Court learned he had been untruthful about his involvement in the shooting. He was charged with three misdemeanors and placed on probation.
Douglass announced his new position in a now-deleted LinkedIn post, stating his eagerness to support Councilmember Young's work and serve Philadelphia residents. He wrote that the role was "another opportunity to serve the city and communities that have shaped who I am."
According to an internal council email obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Douglass will manage Councilman Young's calendar and serve as the primary point of contact for scheduling. Elias Shafiyq Asad Ali, Young's chief of staff, informed the council of the hiring.
Prosecutors alleged that Douglass lied to investigators about the circumstances of his meeting with Harris. Douglass had initially claimed he met Harris through Instagram and paid him $250 via Cash App for a meeting. Douglass stated he shot Harris in self-defense, alleging Harris was attempting to rob him. Douglass was not charged in connection with the shooting itself.
However, he was later charged with soliciting prostitution, possession of an instrument of crime, and misleading investigators. Douglass pleaded guilty to the prostitution-related misdemeanor, resulting in the dismissal of the other charges. He was sentenced to probation.
Following his departure from the DA's office, Douglass worked as a secretary in the Philadelphia court system and volunteered with nonprofit organizations, according to his LinkedIn profile. The Daily Mail has reached out to City Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. for comment.