Ex-LASD detective gets 21 months for abusing police powers

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detective and federal task-force officer Eric Chase Saavedra was sentenced to 21 months in prison on Sept. 30, 2026, for abusing his law enforcement powers to advance the interests of cryptocurrency businessman Adam Iza.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson imposed the sentence after Saavedra pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy against rights and filing a false tax return. Saavedra admitted concealing more than $373,000 in income he received from Iza.

Court findings showed that Saavedra used his law enforcement credentials to obtain sensitive personal information about Iza’s business rivals and other targets. He also obtained unauthorized search warrants bearing court signatures and used them to harass, locate and track people targeted by Iza.

Saavedra later formed a private security company, Saavedra and Associates LLC, and hired active LASD deputies and SWAT team members. The company carried out intimidation and extortion schemes for Iza. Saavedra received about $100,000 per month for the work.

In addition to the prison sentence, Anderson ordered Saavedra to pay $90,984 in restitution and forfeit luxury goods purchased with criminal proceeds. The property included Louis Vuitton bags, Gucci shoes and a money-counting machine.

The judge found that Saavedra’s conduct damaged the integrity of the Sheriff’s Department and the judiciary. Anderson reduced the sentence after considering Saavedra’s prompt and extensive cooperation with investigators.

During the hearing, Saavedra acknowledged that he had violated the trust placed in him as a law enforcement officer and accepted responsibility for his conduct.