Former L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 21 Months in Crypto Enforcer Case

Former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Eric Saavedra has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for using his law enforcement authority on behalf of cryptocurrency businessman Adam Iza. Saavedra also must pay $90,984 in restitution after admitting to concealing more than $373,000 in income tied to Iza.

Security Firm Became Part of Iza Operation

Saavedra, 42, operated Saavedra & Associates LLC, a private security firm that provided round-the-clock protection for Iza. According to court records, Iza typically paid about $100,000 a month for the service.

Saavedra recruited active Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies for the security operation. Some later participated in activities prosecutors described as intimidation, extortion and abuse of legal processes.

Saavedra admitted that he used his sheriff’s credentials to access sensitive law enforcement databases. He obtained personal information about people who had business or personal disputes with Iza, along with information about their associates and relatives.

Badge Used to Obtain Warrants

Court records also show that Saavedra helped obtain search warrants against people connected to Iza’s disputes. In one case, he falsely claimed that a cellphone belonged to a suspect in a firearms investigation.

After obtaining location information through the warrant, Saavedra gave it to Iza. Prosecutors said the information was later used to target the individual.

Saavedra also admitted to creating a fake search warrant to intimidate another person and to misleading a narcotics detective, which contributed to a drug raid involving an Iza adversary.

Final Deputy Sentenced in Case

Saavedra pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return. He also agreed to forfeit luxury goods purchased during the conspiracy, including Louis Vuitton bags, Gucci shoes and a money-counting machine.

Saavedra is the fifth former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy sentenced in connection with Iza’s criminal activities. Iza has pleaded guilty to federal charges involving conspiracy against rights, wire fraud and tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing in California. He is also serving a 15-year federal sentence tied to an attempted Bitcoin robbery and kidnapping in Connecticut.