Former Alabama Crimson Tide player Luther Davis has officially pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges tied to a sprawling identity theft scheme that netted nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans.
According to a new announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Davis, along with co-defendant CJ Evins, admitted to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft after prosecutors said the pair impersonated professional football players to secure high-value loans.
Authorities allege the scheme involved posing as both athletes and their representatives, using disguises and falsified documents to convince lenders they were dealing with legitimate clients. Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, for Davis, with Evins set to be sentenced earlier in August.
Davis, a former national champion under Nick Saban, allegedly used wigs, makeup, and fake identification to appear as NFL players during virtual loan closings.
“Using fake documents, bogus corporations, wigs, and makeup, Davis and Evins convinced lenders they were NFL players,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, adding that the defendants used the funds to purchase real estate and luxury items.
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham described the operation as “an elaborate scheme [based] on deception,” noting that the pair fabricated credentials and impersonated athletes “to close the deal.”
According to prosecutors, the fraud operation ran from May 2023 through October 2024. The duo allegedly created shell companies tied to athletes’ names or initials, opened bank accounts, and produced fake financial statements and email accounts.
When lenders required face-to-face verification, Davis reportedly appeared on camera in disguise, signing documents under the athletes’ names. Funds were then routed into accounts controlled by the defendants.
The scheme began to unravel when a players’ union flagged suspicious contract documents being used as loan collateral. Investigators later determined that multiple loans—totaling $19.8 million—had been secured using stolen identities.
None of the athletes whose names were used is accused of wrongdoing.
