Winfield Police Arrest Man Accused of Illegally Occupying A For Sale Home, Resisting Arrest, Possessing Firearms and Marijuana
A man claiming to own a Winfield home under “Divine Law” was arrested Tuesday after police found him allegedly squatting in the property, resisting officers, and in possession of multiple firearms and nearly a pound of marijuana, despite being a convicted felon.
According to an affidavit, the investigation began when a representative of Hudson Homes Management, reported unauthorized occupants at a vacant residence located in the 10400 block of Price Street. The home, managed by Hudson Homes on behalf of US Bank Trust N.A., was listed for sale and supposed to be unoccupied.
The representative told police that on May 30, 2025, he discovered the realtor lockbox had been removed and the door locks changed. While the home was vacant at that time, a realtor attempting a showing on June 22 found the property suddenly occupied. A man at the door reportedly told the agent, “The house isn’t fu* for sale,” prompting the representative to contact police.
On June 24, officers responded to the address along with the representative to remove the unauthorized occupants. Officers entered the home after finding a window unlocked and were met by an adult female and two juveniles. The female claimed she believed her fiancé, now identified as, Devonte Malone, had purchased the house and that she was unaware of any wrongdoing.
Shortly after, Malone arrived and began shouting that he did not consent to the officers’ authority, stating he was a “free living man” under “Divine law.” According to police, Malone resisted arrest multiple times and had to be tased three times before being fully taken into custody. At one point during the struggle, Malone reportedly shouted, “I’m a free living man and I just shitted myself.”
While securing the home, officers found a duffle bag containing five loaded firearms including ghost guns, an AR-style pistol, and a box containing approximately 457 grams of marijuana, which field-tested positive for THC. Police say Malone, a convicted felon from a 2014 burglary case in Boone County, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Officers also recovered a lock inside Malone’s vehicle that matched the lock previously removed from the property, and another lock was located in the basement.
The female told police she was unaware that Malone was not allowed to be around firearms, though she acknowledged knowing he was a convicted felon. She also claimed the marijuana belonged to Malone, not her, and reiterated she was unaware the home had been illegally entered.
Malone was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was medically cleared and booked. Malone was charged with the following:
Burglary –
Level 5 Felony
Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun –
Level 5 Felony
Criminal Trespass –
Class A Misdemeanor
Resisting Law Enforcement –
Class A Misdemeanor
Theft –
Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana –
Class B Misdemeanor
