CALIFORNIA – Ex-officer Morteza Amiri was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for civil rights violations, record falsification and a scheme to fraudulently obtain pay raises from Antioch Police Department.
“Amiri misused his police dog to inflict unnecessary and excessive force against a victim and cheated his way into a pay raise. These crimes are appalling in themselves, but even more so that they were committed by a police officer,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.
Amiri, 34, was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department.
Deployed dog unnecessarily
Court records show that in July 2019, K-9 handler Amiri deployed his dog unnecessarily after stopping a bicyclist, A.A., for lacking a light.
Amiri approached A.A., punched and took the victim to the ground, and then called for his K-9 to bite the victim. As a result, A.A. sustained injuries.
Amiri, joined by a ride-along officer from a neighboring agency, deployed the K-9 with their assistance.
‘That’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol’
Afterwards, Amiri shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers. One officer responded, “Yeah buddy good boy,” referring to the K-9, and “Lol you bit [A.A.].”
In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.”
Amiri messaged the ride-along officer, “you got to see [the K-9] in action lol,” and stated that detectives got the victim “a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t go to court for the bite. Easy,” referring to the victim going into custody for a parole/probation violation.
Amiri then falsified a police report, claiming he deployed his K-9 because he was alone, despite being assisted by the ride-along officer.
Paid someone to complete online college courses
Evidence from the August 2024 trial showed Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments offered tuition reimbursement and pay raises for earning degrees.
Amiri and co-conspirators paid someone to complete online criminal justice courses for their degrees. They falsely claimed course completion to obtain reimbursements and incentives from their employers.
They received salary based financial incentives while employed by their police departments.
Amiri ordered to pay victim $3,180
Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White sentenced Amiri after presiding over two trials leading to his convictions.
In August 2024, Amiri was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy; in March 2025, of rights deprivation and record falsification.
Amiri was taken into U.S. Marshals custody on March 18, 2025 and remains in federal custody.
In addition to prison, White sentenced Amiri to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,180 to victim A.A. and $10,526 to the City of Antioch.
10 officers have been implicated in crimes
Amiri’s charges stem from an investigation into Antioch and Pittsburg police, implicating 10 officers in crimes like excessive force and fraud.
