Federal Probe Snags Second Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy in Bel Air Extortion Case.

Federal prosecutors secured a guilty plea Wednesday from a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who admitted to obstructing an investigation into a cryptocurrency scheme involving a self-styled mogul known as “The Godfather.”

Scott Allen Simpkins, 34, entered the plea for one count of obstruction of justice, becoming the second deputy convicted in a probe centered on Adam Iza. Investigators allege Iza, 25, used active-duty law enforcement as a private, armed security detail to harass and extort his associates.

Simpkins, a Brea resident and member of the department’s elite SWAT team, worked off-duty shifts for Saavedra & Associates. The private firm, operated by another deputy, provided security for Iza at his Bel Air estate.

Court documents detail an August 2021 incident where Iza allegedly extorted $25,000 from a party planner at his Bel Air home. Simpkins and fellow deputy Christopher Cadman reportedly escorted the victim into an office where Iza brandished 9mm ammunition and delivered threats. Under intimidation, the victim was forced to wire $25,000 to an account Iza controlled.

Despite witnessing the coercion, Simpkins provided false testimony to the FBI and federal prosecutors during a November 2024 interview. According to the plea agreement, Simpkins:

Denied seeing any live ammunition or shell casings in Iza’s presence.

Claimed he observed no financial transactions during the meeting.

Concealed a “referral fee” consisting of 10% of the security contract’s initial profits, paid to him and Cadman for securing Iza as a client.

Simpkins acknowledged his statements were intended to interfere with the criminal proceedings against Iza.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has placed Simpkins on leave and relieved him of duty. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson has scheduled sentencing for July 13.

The case has already seen guilty pleas from Iza, who admitted to wire fraud and tax evasion in January, as well as Deputy Cadman and firm owner Eric Chase Saavedra.