SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Morteza Amiri, a former Antioch police officer, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday after being convicted of multiple crimes, including using excessive force during an on-duty incident and fraudulently obtaining a degree to receive a pay raise.
The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, who presided over two trials that led to Amiri’s convictions.
The Crimes and Convictions
Amiri, 34, was found guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in August 2024 after it was revealed that he had hired someone to complete his criminal justice degree on his behalf in order to fraudulently obtain tuition reimbursement and a raise from the Antioch Police Department.
In a second trial in March, Amiri was convicted of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsifying records after it was revealed he had used his K-9 unit to attack a suspect during a 2019 traffic stop.
Amiri claimed the victim, identified as A.A., was riding his bike without a light, but investigators said Amiri deployed his police dog unnecessarily, leading to serious injuries.
Excessive Use of Force: The K-9 Incident
Amiri, who was a K-9 handler, faced charges for deprivation of civil rights after he called for his K-9 to bite A.A., a bicyclist whom he stopped for not having his bike light on.
Amiri punched the victim, threw him to the ground, and then allowed his K-9 to bite the man, causing significant injuries. After the attack, Amiri shared photos of the victim’s injuries with fellow officers, some of whom made light of the situation.
In his text exchanges with other officers, Amiri mocked the victim’s injuries and claimed the bite was so severe that it left “pieces of the suspect’s flesh” on the dog’s face.
Amiri later falsified a police report, claiming he was alone during the incident, despite having a ride-along officer with him who had also assisted in deploying the K-9.
The Fraudulent Degree Scheme
In addition to the excessive force charges, Amiri was convicted for his role in a fraudulent university degree scheme.
Evidence presented in court showed that Amiri and other officers in the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments hired someone to complete their coursework at an online university. This allowed them to obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice without doing the work themselves.
They then used these fake degrees to apply for tuition reimbursement and pay raises from their respective police departments.
The scheme was part of a larger investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments, which led to charges against 10 officers and employees for various offenses ranging from excessive force to fraud. Most of these officers have been found guilty and sentenced to prison.
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Sentence and Restitution
Judge White sentenced Amiri to seven years in prison for his actions and ordered him to spend three years on supervised release after his sentence. Amiri is also required to pay $3,180 in restitution to the victim of the K-9 attack and $10,526 to the city of Antioch.
Amiri’s attorney, Paul Goyette, expressed disappointment with the sentence, suggesting that it would deter officers from engaging in proactive policing. “The sentence is disappointing,” Goyette said. “Amiri is motivated to get through this and have a productive life when he gets out.”
A Growing Problem of Misconduct Among Police Officers
Amiri’s case is one in a string of high-profile misconduct cases involving police officers in the East Bay area. As part of a wider investigation, numerous officers have faced charges for misconduct, including excessive use of force and fraudulent activities.
These cases highlight the challenges law enforcement agencies face in addressing corruption and maintaining accountability within their ranks.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe the sentence is fair, or should officers like Amiri face longer sentences for abusing their power? How can law enforcement agencies prevent such misconduct in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments below on RidgecrestPact.org.
