Two Los Angeles Deputies Plead Guilty to Abusing Power for Crypto 'Godfather'

Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have been charged and pleaded guilty to abusing their roles to stage fake raids and illegal arrests. The deputies, David Anthony Rodriguez and Christopher Michael Cadman, were involved in a conspiracy to violate civil rights while providing off-duty security for clients. Rodriguez, 43, of La Verne, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy against rights. Cadman, 33, of Fullerton, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return.

The deputies were allegedly involved in a criminal enterprise led by a figure known as the "crypto 'Godfather'." Prosecutors have tied this individual to multiple cases of wrongdoing, including laundering millions through fake tech ventures and stealing over $37 million by hacking. The deputies staged fake raids and used fraudulent warrants to track victims for the "Godfather's" criminal enterprise. This scheme involved the deputies abusing their law enforcement powers to facilitate the "Godfather's" illegal activities.

The charges against the deputies highlight the serious misuse of power by law enforcement officials. The conspiracy to violate civil rights and the filing of false tax returns underscore the depth of the corruption involved. The deputies' actions not only violated the trust placed in them by the public but also undermined the integrity of the law enforcement system. The plea agreements by Rodriguez and Cadman are a significant step in holding these individuals accountable for their actions.

The case also sheds light on the broader issue of corruption within law enforcement agencies. The involvement of deputies in criminal activities, particularly those related to financial crimes, raises concerns about the oversight and accountability mechanisms within these agencies. The plea agreements and the ongoing investigation into the "crypto 'Godfather'" operation serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and transparency in law enforcement.

Federal prosecutors allege that the two deputies misused their law enforcement positions while working as private security contractors for off-duty clients, including 24-year-old Adam Iza, a self-proclaimed crypto entrepreneur known as “The Godfather,” who operated Zort, a trading firm accused of laundering illicit funds. Iza has been in federal custody since September 2024 and pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Iza and his former partner, Iris Ramaya Au, reportedly spent more than $10 million on luxury items and failed to report millions in income to the IRS.

Court records show that in August 2021, Cadman and another LASD deputy held a victim at gunpoint inside Iza’s mansion. The victim was forced to transfer $25,000 to Iza’s bank account. The next month, Cadman helped stage a traffic stop targeting the same individual without any legal grounds. Cadman later admitted to receiving at least $40,500 in cash from Iza, which he failed to report on his 2021 tax return. Prosecutors estimate he owes approximately $11,000 in federal taxes. He faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in federal prison.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez, who had previously worked for Iza alongside Cadman, admitted to abusing his authority on behalf of a separate private security client unrelated to Iza. Notably, in July 2022, Rodriguez faked a robbery investigation to obtain a court-authorized search warrant. He also obtained GPS data, which he later shared with his co-conspirators, including former deputy Eric Chase Saavedra, to locate and intimidate the victim. Saavedra, 42, of Chino, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return. He allegedly worked for Iza through a private security company and has been accused of accessing confidential databases and obtaining fake warrants to target Iza’s adversaries.

Rodriguez is scheduled for sentencing on November 10 and faces up to 10 years in prison. Cadman is expected to make his initial court appearance soon. Saavedra, who is free on $50,000 bond, is awaiting sentencing in the coming months. The legal proceedings against Rodriguez and Cadman are ongoing, and further developments in the case are expected. The plea agreements represent a crucial step in the prosecution's efforts to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power within law enforcement and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal system.