Former Los Angeles deputy jailed for role in crypto platform founder's violent extortion scheme

Former Los Angeles County deputy Michael Coberg was sentenced to 63 months in prison for his role helping a self-styled crypto “Godfather” carry out a sham drug bust and the armed extortion of a victim who was coerced into transferring $127,000 ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

Prosecutors say Coberg received regular payments to serve as security for cryptocurrency platform founder Adam Iza and used his badge to intimidate rivals; reporting indicates he orchestrated a fraudulent arrest of another victim who had been flown in from Miami ^{[3] [2] [1]}.

Adam Iza has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, while Coberg’s 63‑month term — roughly five years and three months — was imposed following the federal prosecution of the extortion ring ^{[1] [3] [4]}.

The sentences wrap up a federal case targeting an armed extortion ring centered on the self-described “Crypto Godfather” and his associates, underscoring law enforcement scrutiny of criminal schemes tied to the cryptocurrency sector ^{[1] [3]}.