California police officer charged with falsifying report on arresting Black man

Matt Dages, a fired Southern California police officer, on Monday was charged for lying on a police report about arresting a Black man who believes race played a role in the incident.

As The Associated Press reports, the former La Mesa police officer arrested 23-year-old Amaurie Johnson in May on suspicion of assaulting another officer and resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer.

“The criminal complaint alleges that on May 28, 2020, Officer Matthew Dages, 30, filed a police report that contained false information,” the San Diego County District Attorney’s office said in a statement Monday. “Dages is accused of falsifying the reason for Johnson’s detention as well as his actions.”

If convicted, Dages faces up to three years in prison.

What Dages lied about on the report is not made clear by the statement from the DA’s office. A spokesperson for their office did not provide further detail regarding Dages’s arrest when contacted by The Hill.

“When someone in a position of trust such as a police officer commits a crime, it causes tremendous harm and shakes the community’s confidence in those who are sworn to protect them,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Everyone is accountable under the law and as we’ve done previously, we will file criminal charges when they are supported by facts and evidence.”

According to the DA’s office, Dages is expected to be arraigned on March 9 in a remote hearing.

As the AP reports, Dages stopped Johnson, who said he was waiting for a friend. Footage of the incident shows Dages shoving Johnson onto a bench before putting him in handcuffs. Dages, who is white, was fired in August after serving three years on the force.

Johnson has filed federal lawsuits against Dages, the city of La Mesa and others for what he says was an arrest without probable cause, the AP reports.

On social media Johnson said he was thankful, writing, “I’ll do my part to make sure there is justice. Tough times don’t last but tough people do.”