Former Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Federal Crimes Linked to Cryptocurrency Kingpin
A former deputy sheriff from Los Angeles County has entered a guilty plea on Monday to two federal offenses tied to his involvement with a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who styled himself as “the Godfather.” Michael David Coberg, 44, from Eastvale, is the latest in a series of former law enforcement officials to acknowledge their roles in the extensive illegal operations orchestrated by Adam Iza, who himself confessed to multiple charges earlier this year. Coberg now faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison after admitting to conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy against civil rights, as outlined in a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles.
Details of the Extortion Scheme
According to the statement, Coberg, who served as both a deputy and a helicopter pilot for the Sheriff’s Department, assisted Iza in carrying out an extortion plot in October 2021. Prosecutors revealed that Coberg was armed and presented himself as an active law enforcement officer while working with Iza. He was involved in what was described as an “interrogation” of a victim identified in court documents by the initials “L.A.” The statement detailed that while Coberg stood guard over the victim, Iza demanded a transfer of $127,000 to an account under his control, capturing the transaction on video. Following this, Iza instructed his security team to confiscate the victim’s passport.
Further Acts of Intimidation
The following day, Coberg facilitated a meeting between Iza and the victim at a shooting range located at Iza’s residence, leaving them alone together. During this encounter, Iza reportedly held the victim at gunpoint, coercing the individual to compel their business partner to transfer additional funds, which the partner ultimately did later that same day. A representative for Coberg did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Monday.
Reprehensible Conduct and Department Response
The Sheriff’s Department confirmed via an email that Coberg had been dismissed from his position on September 4, 2025. The department condemned his actions, labeling them as “reprehensible” and a blatant breach of departmental standards. In September 2021, Coberg was involved in another incident where he orchestrated the arrest of an individual on drug charges, as noted by the U.S. attorney’s office.
Elaborate Drug Setup
In this case, prosecutors detailed how Coberg and his associates manipulated the victim’s ex-girlfriend to lure him under the pretense of rekindling their relationship, inviting him to Los Angeles for drug use. Upon the victim’s arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, a co-conspirator picked him up in a Tesla to procure drugs. Subsequently, Coberg and another former deputy arranged for a traffic stop in Paramount. A deputy, unaware of any illegal activities, conducted a search of the vehicle, leading to the discovery of psilocybin mushrooms and cocaine, resulting in the victim’s arrest. Notably, Coberg was seen slowly driving past the arrest scene in a black Cadillac Escalade, as Iza observed from the back seat.
Past Scrutiny and Future Sentencing
Even prior to these charges, Coberg had faced criticism for his conduct while on duty. A 2018 investigation by KPCC revealed that he had been involved in four on-duty shootings, all of which were deemed legally justified. The report also indicated that Coberg claimed he was reassigned from an elite anti-gang unit to menial tasks due to these incidents, a claim that the Sheriff’s Department contested. Adam Iza, now 25, previously residing in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, has been incarcerated since last September and is slated for sentencing in December. He had previously admitted to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion charges, having constructed a small empire through deceptive marketing and cryptocurrency schemes, amassing millions while engaging in extortion and hacking activities. Coberg is scheduled for sentencing on February 17.
No coins selected
