Eric Chase Saavedra, 42, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return.
U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson also ordered Saavedra to pay $90,984 to the IRS. Prosecutors said he failed to report more than $373,000 in income earned while providing private security services for Adam Iza, a cryptocurrency figure who has been described as the “Crypto Godfather.” Iza is serving a separate 15-year federal sentence related to an attempted Bitcoin robbery and kidnapping in Connecticut.
Eric Saavedra’s Security Work for Adam Iza
Saavedra founded Saavedra & Associates LLC, a private security company that was hired by Iza to provide continuous protection. According to court records, the company provided security from August 2021 through March 2022 at a rate of about $100,000 per month. The arrangement resumed in July 2024 and continued until Iza was arrested in September of that year.
Saavedra admitted that he used his law enforcement credentials to access restricted databases and obtain personal information about people connected to Iza’s disputes. The information included details about individuals, their associates and family members.
According to prosecutors, Saavedra also misused his position to assist Iza in targeting people involved in private disputes. In one instance, he fabricated information for a search warrant that was used to intimidate an individual into paying for security services.
In another incident, Saavedra misled a narcotics detective, resulting in a drug raid involving an individual who had allegedly been targeted by Iza. He also falsely claimed that a cellphone number was connected to a firearms investigation in order to obtain a warrant to track its location.
Prosecutors said Saavedra later provided the location information to Iza. Armed individuals subsequently attempted to enter the targeted person’s home while looking for a laptop believed to contain cryptocurrency.
Saavedra acknowledged during sentencing that he had violated the public trust associated with his position as a law enforcement officer. He left the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on March 13, 2025.
Fifth Former Deputy Sentenced in Iza Investigation
Saavedra is the fifth former LASD deputy sentenced as part of the broader investigation involving Iza. Michael Coberg, Scott Simpkins, David Rodriguez and Christopher Cadman were sentenced previously in separate cases connected to the investigation.
The cases involve allegations that law enforcement access and official authority were used in connection with private security work and disputes involving Iza. Saavedra’s case is separate from the criminal proceedings against Iza, although the two investigations overlap.
Iza is currently serving a 15-year federal sentence stemming from an attempted Bitcoin robbery and kidnapping in Connecticut in August 2024. He also pleaded guilty in California to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud and tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing in that case.
The separate proceedings highlight the broader nature of the investigation, which involved both cryptocurrency-related activity and allegations of conventional intimidation and misuse of law enforcement resources.
Saavedra’s 21-month sentence concludes his federal criminal case, while Iza continues to face separate legal proceedings related to his activities in California.
