Former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Convicted of Acting as Enforcer for Crypto Fraudster, Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Prison

U.S. Department of Justice announced on March 16 that former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Deputy Sheriff and helicopter pilot Michael David Coberg was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $127,000 in restitution for assisting a jailed cryptocurrency scammer in extortion and false arrest operations.
Former Officer Colludes with “Crypto Godfather,” Earning at Least $20,000 Monthly
According to a press release from the U.S. Central District of California Federal Prosecutor’s Office, 44-year-old Coberg, residing in Eastvale, admitted in September 2025 to conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to violate civil rights. Prosecutors stated that while still employed by LASD, Coberg secretly worked for 25-year-old Adam Iza, who is now in federal custody. Iza claims to be a cryptocurrency entrepreneur but is involved in fraudulent marketing and crypto scams. He has been detained by federal authorities since September 2024, pleaded guilty to related federal charges, and is awaiting sentencing in the coming months. Coberg’s cooperation with Iza was not just security work but involved participation as a “business partner and advisor,” with Iza paying Coberg at least $20,000 per month.
In sentencing memos, prosecutors noted that Coberg, who had sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution and laws, abused the authority symbolized by his badge for personal gain.
Extortion Case: Victim Forced to Transfer $127,000
The Department of Justice stated that in October 2021, Coberg accompanied other security personnel to escort a victim, who was targeted due to financial disputes involving their business partner and Iza. After being taken to Iza’s residence, Iza placed a handgun on the table and also had an assault rifle nearby.
Coberg claimed to be an active law enforcement officer and monitored and interrogated the victim. During this time, Iza forced the victim to transfer $127,000 into an account under his control and recorded the process. Afterwards, Iza’s security personnel took the victim’s passport and returned him to a hotel.
Further disclosures revealed that the next day, Coberg continued questioning the victim about the financial dispute and the whereabouts of the business partner. Later, Coberg took Iza and the victim to a shooting range inside the residence, where they were left alone. Iza then threatened the victim with a gun, demanding his business partner transfer funds, which the victim did later that day. Coberg was involved not only in the extortion but also played roles in assisting and intimidating at multiple critical points.
Fake Arrest Scheme: Luring Victim to Los Angeles and Arresting on Drug Charges
Another criminal act occurred in September 2021. The Department of Justice stated that Coberg, Iza, and others conspired to lure another victim from Miami to Los Angeles and then arranged for his arrest on drug charges. A month prior, Iza and two LASD deputy sheriffs, who worked for him, had used guns to force the victim to transfer $25,000 into an account controlled by Iza.
According to prosecutors, accomplices used the victim’s ex-girlfriend to make a false call, pretending to want reconciliation, successfully convincing her to fly to Los Angeles to meet and use drugs together. Following Coberg’s advice, the accomplices purchased a plane ticket, picked up the victim at Los Angeles International Airport, took him to obtain drugs, and then went to a location in Paramount to wait for another LASD deputy to conduct a stop and arrest. Coberg also lied to a colleague, claiming an informant indicated a white Tesla with wanted criminals and drugs was passing by. The colleague then stopped the vehicle, found cocaine and drugs in the victim’s backpack, and made the arrest.
The Department of Justice stated that during the arrest, Coberg drove slowly past the scene, while Iza sat in the back seat observing and filming the arrest. Afterwards, Coberg messaged another involved deputy to thank him for assisting with the stop, saying “That kid really enjoyed it,” referring to Iza. Iza later sent photos of the arrest to the others, further taunting them.