Important Highlights
- A man was held at gunpoint and forced to transfer $25,000 in crypto.
- Deputies faked raids and arrests while moonlighting for a crypto boss.
- Over $154,000 was funneled from Zort to police officers across LA.
How a Young Crypto Kingpin Turned Cops Into Criminals
In a case that sounds more like a Netflix drama than real life, two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have now pleaded guilty to helping a young crypto entrepreneur intimidate his enemies and they used their police badges to do it.
At the center of it all is Adam Iza, a 24-year-old who called himself “The Godfather” of crypto.
He founded a trading platform called Zort, but behind the scenes, prosecutors say he was funneling illegal payments to law enforcement officers to act as his personal enforcers.
And it worked until it didn’t.
The Crypto Money Trail That Led to Real Guns and Fake Raids
Let’s rewind. Back in 2021, Iza was living large in a Bel Air mansion.
But instead of focusing on legitimate crypto trading, prosecutors say he was building a network of dirty cops willing to bend the law to protect his interests.
That’s where deputies David Anthony Rodriguez and Christopher Michael Cadman come in.
According to federal prosecutors, both men used their authority to stage fake raids, traffic stops, and even gunpoint confrontations all in service of Iza’s growing crypto empire.
What These Deputies Did (And Why It’s So Alarming)
David Rodriguez: The Fake Warrant Scheme
Rodriguez admitted he lied to a judge to get a fake search warrant.
He claimed it was for a robbery investigation, but really, he just wanted to track someone down someone tied to a private client, not a real case.
Once he had the GPS location, he passed it along to his crew, who used it to scare and pressure the victim.
He’s now facing up to 10 years in federal prison, with sentencing coming this November.
Christopher Cadman: The Muscle for Hire
Cadman, on the other hand, worked directly for Iza.
In one disturbing incident, he and another deputy held a man at gunpoint inside Iza’s mansion forcing him to transfer $25,000 in crypto on the spot.
A month later, Cadman helped organize a fake traffic stop just to arrest the same victim again even though there was no legal reason to do it.
And the money? Cadman took over $40,000 in cash payments from Iza and didn’t report it on his taxes. Now he owes the IRS over $11,000.
This Goes Way Beyond Just Two Deputies
While Rodriguez and Cadman are the latest names to plead guilty, they’re not the only ones involved.
Another deputy, Eric Chase Saavedra, admitted earlier this year that he also used his badge to help Iza’s operation.
He even ran a private security firm on the side one that worked hand-in-hand with Iza’s team to track, harass, and threaten crypto rivals.
And then there’s Iza’s ex-girlfriend, Iris Ramaya Au. She pleaded guilty to failing to report $2.6 million she made from his shady business.
Together, the two spent around $10 million on luxury items, and Iza alone made $16 million in crypto, much of it fraudulently.
What Happens Now?
While Iza has already pleaded guilty and remains in federal custody, the story isn’t over yet.
- Rodriguez’s sentencing is set for November 10
- Saavedra is free on a $50,000 bond and awaiting sentencing
- Cadman’s sentencing date is expected soon
- And yes, more arrests could still happen
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the IRS have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
So if you think the corruption stops here, it probably doesn’t.
What This Tells Us About Power, Crypto, and Trust
This isn’t just a story about dirty cops. It’s a warning about what happens when crypto, unchecked power, and greed collide.
Crypto is still new, still exciting and for some, still completely lawless.
It offers freedom, but also makes it easier to hide money, move fast, and dodge accountability.
And in the wrong hands, it becomes a tool for abuse.
If law enforcement can be bought off with crypto, what does that say about the system meant to protect us?