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, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Saavedra was also ordered to pay $90,984 in restitution after admitting he concealed more than $373,000 in income tied to Iza. The case centers on official police tools — confidential database access and search warrants — being put to work for a private client, and the prosecution has now reached five former deputies as well as Iza himself.

Security Firm Folded Into Iza's Operation

Saavedra, 42, ran Saavedra & Associates LLC, a private security company that provided round-the protection for Iza. Court records show Iza typically paid about $100,000 a month for the service.

Through the firm, Saavedra recruited active Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies for the security operation. Prosecutors said some of those deputies later took part in intimidation, extortion and the abuse of legal processes.

Saavedra admitted that he used his sheriff's credentials to access sensitive law enforcement databases, obtaining personal information on people involved in business or personal disputes with Iza, along with details about their associates and relatives.

Badge Used to Secure Warrants

Court documents further show that Saavedra helped obtain search warrants against individuals connected to Iza's disputes. In one instance, he falsely claimed that a cellphone belonged to a suspect in a firearms investigation. After the warrant yielded location information, Saavedra passed it to Iza, and prosecutors said the data was later used to target that person.

He also acknowledged creating a fake search warrant to intimidate another individual and misleading a narcotics detective — conduct that contributed to a drug raid involving an adversary of Iza.

Fifth Deputy Sentenced in the Case

Saavedra pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy against rights — a federal offense criminalizing agreements to deprive people of their constitutional 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 to be sentenced in connection with Iza's criminal activities. Iza has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy against rights, wire fraud and tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing in California, the next court proceeding to watch in the case. He is also serving a 15-year federal sentence tied to an attempted Bitcoin robbery and kidnapping in Connecticut.