Former L.A. County Sheriff‘s Deputy Pleads guilty in Crypto Scheme extortion
A former Los Angeles County sheriff’s Department deputy, Jason Coberg, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to a criminal enterprise led by cryptocurrency figure, Nathaniel Iza, according to a statement released Monday by the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles.
Coberg, who served as a deputy and helicopter pilot for the Sheriff’s Department, aided Iza in multiple extortion incidents beginning in October 2021. Prosecutors allege that Coberg, while working for Iza, identified himself as active law enforcement and carried a firearm. He “interrogated” a victim identified in court documents as “L.A.” while Iza demanded and recorded a video of the victim transferring $127,000 to a bank account controlled by Iza.Following the transfer, Iza’s security guards confiscated the victim’s passport.
the following day, Coberg transported Iza and the victim to a shooting range at Iza’s residence, leaving them alone. Prosecutors state that Iza then held the victim at gunpoint, demanding a monetary transfer from the victim’s business partner, which was subsequently carried out.
In a separate incident in September 2021, Coberg assisted iza in orchestrating the arrest of an individual on drug charges. This involved using the victim’s ex-girlfriend to lure him to Los Angeles under the pretense of drug use. Upon the victim’s arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, a driver in a Tesla transported him to purchase drugs. Coberg and another former deputy then arranged a traffic stop in Paramount.
During the stop,a deputy - unaware of the scheme – discovered psilocybin mushrooms and cocaine in the vehicle and arrested the victim. The U.S. attorney’s office statement details that Coberg drove past the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade with the window down while Iza observed from the back seat.
The Sheriff’s Department stated that Coberg “separated from the Department on September 4,2025,” and characterized his actions as “reprehensible” and a “clear violation of our Department standards.”
Prior to these incidents, Coberg faced scrutiny for his involvement in four on-duty shootings, all of which were deemed lawful following investigations. A 2018 KPCC investigation reported that Coberg claimed he was reassigned to menial tasks, such as cleaning vehicles, after the shootings – a claim disputed by the Sheriff’s Department.
Iza,25,formerly of Beverly Hills and Newport beach,is currently incarcerated and scheduled to be sentenced in December. He previously pleaded guilty in January to charges of conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion.Authorities describe Iza as having built a financial empire through “fraudulent marketing and cryptocurrency schemes,” generating millions of dollars while engaging in intimidation,extortion,and illegal hacking activities.
Coberg is scheduled to be sentenced on February 17.
