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2h ago

Ex-LASD Deputy Pleads Guilty in Adam Iza Extortion, Sham-Arrest Plot

The plea moves forward federal prosecutions revealing a crypto promoter’s use of paid deputies to target adversaries.

Abel Luna Garcia, 27, of Ramona, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison in connection with the Nov. 25, 2023, crash that killed 44-year-old Andrea Ortiz.
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Overview

  • Michael David Coberg, 44, admitted to conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy against rights in federal court.
  • Prosecutors say he helped Adam Iza coerce a victim identified as “L.A.” into transferring $127,000 after firearms were displayed while presenting himself as an on-duty officer.
  • He also conspired to lure another victim from Miami and arrange a staged traffic stop in Paramount in 2021 that led to a narcotics arrest recorded by Iza.
  • Coberg received at least $20,000 per month under a contract to act as Iza’s business partner and advisor, and they at one point discussed launching a steroids business.
  • Sentencing is set for February 17, 2026, with a statutory maximum of 20 years on the extortion count and 10 years on the civil-rights count; Iza awaits December 15 sentencing as FBI and IRS-CI continue the investigation with LASD assistance.