- Former LASD deputy Scott Simpkins admitted mendacity throughout a federal investigation into Adam Iza.
- Prosecutors linked Simpkins to a 2021 incident involving an alleged $25,000 extortion demand.
- Adam Iza faces a number of federal instances involving fraud, theft, and crypto-related crimes.
A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division deputy has been sentenced to 18 months in federal jail after admitting he obstructed a federal investigation into cryptocurrency businessman Adam Iza.
Scott Allen Simpkins was accused of mendacity to investigators about witnessing Iza threaten a sufferer and demand a $25,000 fee throughout a 2021 incident at a Bel Air mansion.
Simpkins Admitted Mendacity About 2021 Extortion Incident
In a assertion on Monday, U.S. District Choose Percy Anderson sentenced Simpkins and imposed a $10,000 high quality after the previous deputy pleaded responsible to obstruction of justice. Simpkins resigned from the LASD Particular Enforcement Bureau following his felony plea.
In response to the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Central District of California, Simpkins labored as a deputy assigned to the LASD Lakewood Station and later served with the division’s Particular Enforcement Bureau and SWAT staff. He additionally supplied non-public safety companies by way of Saavedra & Associates.
Prosecutors stated Simpkins was amongst a number of regulation enforcement officers employed to supply safety at Iza’s Bel Air residence throughout a personal get together in August 2021.
The corporate was owned by then-LASD Deputy Eric Chase Saavedra and employed lively regulation enforcement personnel for personal safety contracts.
After the get together, prosecutors stated get together planner R.C. was faraway from the occasion following allegations of disruptive habits. The next day, Simpkins and former deputy Christopher Michael Cadman escorted R.C. into Iza’s workplace at his residence.
Federal authorities alleged that Iza tried to intimidate R.C. through the assembly by inserting a number of dwell 9mm rounds on his desk. Prosecutors acknowledged that Iza later demanded a $25,000 switch from R.C.’s checking account to an account managed by him.
In response to court docket paperwork, Simpkins and Cadman escorted R.C. from the property after the fee was accomplished. Prosecutors stated each deputies later benefited financially after serving to Saavedra & Associates safe a continued safety settlement with Iza.
Simpkins and Cadman every acquired roughly $1,400 for his or her work through the get together and the August 16 incident. Additionally they acquired about 10% of the corporate’s first-month earnings from the safety contract, based on prosecutors.
Adam Iza Stays Concerned in A number of Federal Instances
The case is a part of broader federal investigations involving Adam Iza, who referred to himself as a cryptocurrency businessman and used the nickname “The Godfather.” Iza has remained in federal custody since September 2024 after authorities arrested him over a number of alleged crimes.
In January 2025, Iza pleaded responsible to conspiracy towards rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion prices in California. He’s awaiting sentencing in that case.
Moreover, Iza pleaded responsible in June 2026 within the District of Connecticut to conspiracy to intrude with commerce by theft. The cost pertains to an alleged Bitcoin-linked kidnapping and theft plot in Danbury, Connecticut, in August 2024.
Federal prosecutors stated the Connecticut case concerned an tried effort to acquire cryptocurrency related to a dispute involving stolen Bitcoin. The investigation has additionally led to responsible pleas from different people, together with former regulation enforcement officers.
Former LASD deputy Michael David Coberg is serving a 63-month federal jail sentence after pleading responsible to serving to Iza extort a person and organize a fraudulent arrest operation. He was additionally ordered to pay $127,000 in restitution.
The FBI and IRS Felony Investigation led the investigation into the case, whereas the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division assisted federal authorities all through the proceedings.