Former Antioch Police Officer Found Guilty in K-9 Attack Case

 A former Antioch police officer has been taken into custody after being found guilty in federal court of civil rights violations and falsifying official reports related to a violent K-9 attack.

Morteza Amiri, who once served as a K-9 officer with the Antioch Police Department, was convicted by a federal jury last week of unlawfully deploying his police dog on a man and then falsifying records to conceal the misconduct. While he was acquitted of conspiracy charges involving other officers, the remaining convictions carry significant prison time.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White ordered Amiri into federal custody. He is currently being held in Santa Clara County Jail until his sentencing, scheduled for June. Following that, he will be transferred to a federal prison facility.

During the court hearing, Judge White sharply criticized Amiri’s conduct, referencing text messages sent by the former officer in which he appeared to celebrate the incident. The judge highlighted what he described as the “savagery of the attack” and pointed to Amiri's messages laughing at the victim’s injuries and discussing efforts to avoid legal consequences.

Amiri faces up to 10 years in prison for the deprivation of rights conviction, and up to 20 years for falsifying records. He is also facing up to 20 years in a separate fraud case. However, due to federal sentencing guidelines, his final sentence is expected to be significantly less.

This case comes as Antioch and other Bay Area communities continue to confront concerns over police accountability and the use of force, especially in incidents involving K-9 units.

Amiri's conviction marks a significant step in a broader investigation into law enforcement misconduct in the region.