A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy will spend 18 months in federal prison after admitting he lied to investigators probing the extortion activities of Adam Iza, the self-styled crypto mogul known in certain circles as the “crypto Godfather.” The sentencing of Scott Allen Simpkins marks the second time a corrupt LASD deputy has been locked up in connection with Iza’s sprawling criminal enterprise.

Simpkins pleaded guilty in March 2026 to obstruction of justice. The charge stems from his decision to lie about witnessing Iza threaten and extort $25,000 from a party planner at Iza’s Bel Air mansion. A federal judge handed down the 18-month sentence on July 13.

The crypto Godfather’s payroll

Iza allegedly paid LASD deputies tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars per month for what amounted to personal enforcement services. Simpkins wasn’t the first deputy to face consequences for that arrangement. Michael David Coberg, another former LASD deputy, received a significantly harsher 63-month prison sentence for his role in enabling Iza’s extortion activities.

Inside Iza’s $37 million scheme

Adam Iza’s legal troubles extend well beyond intimidating party planners. He was arrested in September 2024, and has since pleaded guilty to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud, and tax evasion. The charges are tied to a $37 million phishing scheme that operated by hacking Meta business manager accounts. Between 2020 and 2022, Iza generated over $36 million in illicit proceeds from these fraudulent activities through a platform called Zort.

Iza also faces connections to a kidnapping case in Connecticut related to a Bitcoin heist.