Former Antioch Cop Gets Seven Years In Prison for Siccing K9 on Suspects, Fraudulently Getting a Pay Raise

Morteza Amiri, a former Antioch police officer, received a seven-year prison sentence for his involvement in severe misconduct, including ordering unnecessary K9 attacks and committing wire fraud. The K9 incident occurred during a traffic stop in July 2019, where he punched a bicyclist and commanded his police dog to bite the suspect. Amiri submitted falsified reports to justify his actions and secure a pay raise based on fraudulent academic credentials. His convictions stemmed from two trials, with findings of wire fraud, conspiracy, and deprivation of rights under color of law. US Attorney Craig Missakian emphasized the severity of Amiri's actions, labeling them a betrayal of public trust.

In addition to the prison sentence, Amiri must pay $3,180 in restitution to the victim and $10,526 to the City of Antioch. This ruling represents the longest sentence yet in the ongoing scandals involving the Antioch Police Department, which has faced scrutiny for various issues, including racist text messages among officers. The case underscores the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.