Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
A federal jury in Oakland has convicted former Antioch police officer Morteza Amiri of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records. The verdict was delivered after an eight-day trial presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.
Amiri, 33, who worked as a K-9 handler with the Antioch Police Department, was found guilty of deploying his K-9 unit unnecessarily to bite suspects and keeping a tally of these incidents. He also shared photographs of the dog bites with fellow officers, indicating that "gory pics are for personal stuff" while "cleaned up pics for the case."
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins stated, "Morteza Amiri violated the oath he swore to protect the people of Antioch," emphasizing how such conduct undermines public trust in law enforcement.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani remarked, "Today’s guilty verdict against Morteza Amiri sends a clear message: no one is above the law." He highlighted that Amiri's actions betrayed community trust and compromised law enforcement integrity.
Evidence from the trial revealed that on July 24, 2019, Amiri stopped a bicyclist identified as A.A., who did not have a bicycle light on according to Amiri's account. After approaching A.A., Amiri allegedly punched him before calling for his K-9 to attack. The victim sustained injuries during this incident.
Further evidence showed that Amiri falsified reports about this event by claiming he was alone at the time despite having assistance from another officer who was present as a ride-along.
The jury acquitted Amiri on other charges but convicted him on one count each related to deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records in violation of federal statutes.
Previously convicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in August 2024, Amiri now faces sentencing scheduled for June 3, 2025. He could receive up to ten years for deprivation of rights under color of law and twenty years for record falsification.
The case is being handled by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section along with Oakland Branch prosecutors following an investigation led by both FBI agents and Contra Costa County District Attorney officials. This prosecution is part of broader investigations into misconduct within Antioch and Pittsburgh police departments involving multiple officers facing various criminal charges ranging from excessive force use to fraud allegations.