BATAVIA — After more than eight months on the lam, Devon A. Wright is finally in jail.
City of Batavia police said Wright was taken into custody without incident in Lockport Friday.
And this time, Wright, 21, was committed to Genesee County Jail with no bail set, unlike numerous other times he has been arrested and judges have refused to incarcerate him.
Wright had more than two dozen charges placed against him in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Despite repeated arrests, judges cited bail reform laws as the reason they did not commit him to jail, even though in some instances the charges against him allowed for incarceration.
The last instance came after Wright pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault and criminal sexual act, the latter two being violent felony offenses.
The plea came after Wright failed to appear for his trial with co-defendant Jacob Sponaugle in November.
As part of the plea deal, then District Attorney Lawrence Friedman agreed with Wright’s request to remain free pending sentencing so he could be present for the birth of his child.
Wright repeatedly violated terms of his release and failed to appear for sentencing, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.
Later, a $2,500 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. It was not known whether anyone provided information to police that led to finding Wright in Lockport.
It is possible that a judge will withdraw Wright’s guilty plea and deal.
Wright’s arrests during the past three years include:
n Third-degree burglary, third-degree assault and criminal mischief, after allegedly entering Valero gas station and store on March 2 and injuring a clerk, along with damaging vaping oil and snack donuts
n Resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration during an arrest on March 12, 2020.
n Attempted first-degree assault for allegedly hitting a person with his car while on Highland Park, causing serious injuries.
That incident resulted in a police alert for his arrest.
n Two counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest, obstruction and harassment.
Police arrested Wright on April 21 2020 for the hit-and-run. He allegedly attacked an officer and damaged a spit hood placed on him and a ceiling at city police headquarters.
n Second-degree criminal sexual act and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly having sexual contact with a person less than 15 years old on Nov. 26, 2019.
n Resisting arrest and obstruction for allegedly struggling with police during an arrest on Nov. 29, 2020.
Last year, Wright was arrested numerous times in the fall, both before and after his scheduled trial in November, including resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration charges.
Batavia police were assisted by state police including the New York State Police Troop A Community Stabilization Unit, the Lockport Police Department, the Niagara County Drug Task Force and the community.