A former Los Angeles deputy sheriff was sentenced to more than five years in prison for aiding and abetting cryptocurrency fraudsters in extortion.

PANews reported on March 17 that, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, former Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputy Michael David Coberg was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and $127,000 in restitution for assisting cryptocurrency scammer Adam Iza in extortion and false arrests. Coberg, as Iza's business partner and consultant, earned at least $20,000 per month. In October 2021, Coberg participated in bringing a victim to Iza's residence, where Iza threatened him with a gun. Coberg, acting as an on-duty law enforcement officer, interrogated the victim, forcing him to transfer $127,000 to Iza's account. In September 2021, Coberg conspired with Iza and others to lure another victim from Miami to Los Angeles, where they arrested him using fabricated traffic stops and charges of illegal drug possession. Coberg pleaded guilty in September 2025 to two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to violate civil rights. Iza, who has been in federal custody since September 2024, has pleaded guilty to federal charges and is awaiting sentencing.