Former LA Sheriffs Deputies Plead Guilty to Helping Cryptocurrency “Godfather” Target Rivals

Two former deputies in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) agreed to plead guilty to using their law enforcement positions to help a cryptocurrency businessman intimidate his rivals. 

Prosecutors say the deputies were working a second job for Adam Iza, a 24-year-old Southern California businessman who dubbed himself the “crypto godfather.”

According to court documents, Iza had a number of LASD employees doing dirty work for him. 

Agreeing to plead guilty was Christopher Michael Cadman. Pleading guilty was David Anthony Rodriguez.

Threatening Rivals

According to prosecutors, Cadman and an officer identified as “LASD Deputy 6” intimidated and threatened a victim who was an adversary of Iza, holding the victim at gunpoint during a meeting inside Iza’s Bel Air mansion. Immediately after that meeting, the victim transferred $25,000 to Iza’s bank account. 

In another incident, Cadman and other officers orchestrated a traffic stop to arrest the same victim. Cadman admitted to helping organize the traffic stop on Iza’s behalf and receiving cash payments. 

Meanwhile, Rodriguez allegedly lied to a judge to obtain a search warrant that allowed him to track another victim's cell phone location via GPS, according to federal prosecutors. 

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against rights. Cadman agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy against rights and subscribing to a false tax return.

Iza himself has been in federal custody since November 2024. He pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion. 

Another former LASD deputy Eric Chase Saavedra, who also served as a former federal task force officer, pleaded guilty in February and is awaiting sentencing, 

"These alleged actions, as detailed in federal court documents, are deeply disturbing and do not reflect the values of our Department or the dedicated work of the vast majority of our deputies who serve with integrity," LASD wrote in a statement. "The Department has fully cooperated with the ongoing federal investigation."

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation led the investigation.