A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy and a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who called himself “The Godfather” have consented to enter a guilty plea to federal criminal charges.
According to the official reports, the charged against them include their involvement in a conspiracy that violated the civil rights of numerous victims in Los Angeles through extortion, intimidation, unlawful search warrants, and other abuses of police power, the Justice Department said today.
What Did the Accused Do?
Adam Iza, 24, was charged this week with tax evasion, wire fraud, and conspiracy against rights in a three-count superseding information.
The crime Iza committed also involved Chino resident Eric Chase Saavedra, 41, a former federal task force officer and LASD deputy. Saavedra was charged separately with conspiracy against rights and filing a fraudulent tax return.
In the upcoming days, Iza and Saavedra are anticipated to appear in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles for the first time after agreeing to enter a guilty plea to these criminal charges.
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Both Iza and Saavedra to Face Long Prison Term
According to the official reports, Iza will be facing a maximum sentence of 35 years in federal prison after entering a guilty plea. Saavedra could spend up to 13 years behind bars.
This case is being looked at by IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI. Assistance has been given by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
How Was The Crime Committed?
As per their plea agreements, Iza used LASD deputies who were not on duty to serve as his personal enforcers against his adversaries. Iza would employ the deputies to help him abuse the judicial system, extort, intimidate, and set people up for arrest as part of the conspiracy to violate civil rights.
Saavedra, a federal task force officer attached to the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force of the US Marshals Service, was one of the deputies Iza hired. He was assigned to LASD’s Operation Safe Streets Bureau.
Saavedra & Associates LLC is a private security firm that Saavedra started. This business frequently used active LASD deputies and other law enforcement personnel to provide private security for its clients.
Iza, who at the time resided in a Bel Air estate, employed Saavedra & Associates to provide him with 24-hour private protection from August 2021 to March 2022, at an average monthly cost of $100,000. From July 2024 until his incarceration in September 2024, Iza rehired the corporation.
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