Deputy Abused Police Powers to Secretly Track a Man's Cellphone

A deputy admitted using a fake search warrant to secretly obtain a man’s cellphone location for a private client, exposing how court-approved surveillance powers can be abused and why the case ended in a federal prison sentence.

Key Takeaways

• A sheriff’s deputy received 12 months in federal prison for using a false affidavit to obtain cellphone location data.
• Prosecutors said he tracked a private client’s estranged husband instead of a legitimate robbery suspect.
• The case is tied to cryptocurrency businessman Adam Iza, who has pleaded guilty to multiple federal crimes.

Deputy Lied to Judge to Obtain GPS Data

David Anthony Rodriguez, 45, was sentenced Monday to one year in federal prison after admitting he submitted a false search warrant application to secretly obtain a man’s cellphone location for a private client.

The former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiracy against rights. According to the Justice Department’s July 20 sentencing announcement, Rodriguez falsely claimed a detective had asked LASD’s Gang Surveillance Team to assist with a robbery investigation in Cudahy.

The DOJ stated:

“Rodriguez obtained a search warrant for the victim by lying in an affidavit to a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.”

The affidavit falsely stated that Rodriguez had identified a robbery suspect who used two cellphones. He then claimed the victim’s cellphone number belonged to that suspect and sought GPS precision location information, despite knowing the victim had no connection to the robbery.

After serving the warrant on the phone provider, Rodriguez obtained location pings, tracked the victim to Utah, and shared the information with Eric Chase Saavedra, another former LASD deputy who owned a private security company.

Adam Iza Cases Extend From Deputy Scheme to Bitcoin Kidnapping

Rodriguez worked private security assignments for wealthy Los Angeles-area clients while serving as an active-duty deputy. One was Adam Iza, a self-described cryptocurrency businessman who lived in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach.

Iza, identified in previous reporting as the CEO of crypto platform Zort, was arrested for allegedly paying sheriff’s deputies in an extortion scheme. He later pleaded guilty in California to conspiracy against rights, wire fraud and tax evasion.

Federal prosecutors also charged Iza in Connecticut, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery in a bitcoin kidnapping plot tied to the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of BTC. He remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors said Saavedra’s company regularly employed active deputies and other law enforcement officers. Rodriguez admitted he knew participants had unlawfully obtained information and used it to threaten, intimidate or oppress people.

False Warrant Bypassed Surveillance Safeguards

Cellphone location records can expose a person’s movements, destinations, and routines. The Justice Department’s electronic evidence guidance explains procedures for obtaining digital evidence, while Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure outlines federal warrant procedures involving electronic information and tracking devices.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez bypassed judicial safeguards by placing false claims in a sworn affidavit. The DOJ noted:

“This was not impulsive conduct or a momentary lapse in judgment. It was a calculated abuse of authority carried out with full awareness of its significance.”

Saavedra pleaded guilty in February 2025 to conspiracy against rights and making and subscribing to a false tax return. He is awaiting sentencing.