Former Alabama Football Star to Plead Guilty in Elaborate $20 Million NFL Identity Theft Scheme
Luther Davis, a former University of Alabama defensive lineman and member of the 2010 national championship team, plans to plead guilty later this month to orchestrating a sophisticated identity theft scheme that defrauded lenders of nearly $20 million by impersonating NFL players. Davis, along with his partner CJ Evins, allegedly used disguises including wigs and makeup during virtual loan closings to convince notaries they were professional athletes seeking multi-million dollar loans.
The Alleged Fraudulent Loan Operation
According to criminal information filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Davis and Evins obtained at least thirteen fraudulent loans totaling more than $19,845,000 between May 2023 and October 2024. The scheme specifically targeted lenders including Aliya Sports and All Pro Capital Funding, with loans brokered by Sure Sports. Both defendants have waived their right to indictment by grand jury and intend to enter guilty pleas, according to court documents.
The criminal filing details three specific fraudulent loans totaling $11.6 million:
- A $4.025 million loan from Aliya Sports impersonating former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (identified in documents by initials D.N.)
- A $4.35 million loan from Aliya Sports impersonating Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (identified as XM)
- A $3.3 million loan through All Pro Capital Funding impersonating Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (identified as MP)
Federal prosecutors emphasize that the NFL players themselves have no connection to the alleged scheme beyond having their identities stolen.
Sophisticated Impersonation Techniques Revealed
The alleged operation involved multiple stages of deception. First, Davis and Evins would register companies with the Georgia Secretary of State using names closely related to the impersonated player's name or initials. They then opened bank accounts for these fake companies and created fraudulent email accounts purportedly used by the NFL players they were impersonating.
The scheme escalated with the creation of fake identification documents, including driver's licenses in the players' names. Davis allegedly provided these fraudulent documents to loan brokers, along with fabricated personal financial statements, Secretary of State documents, and bank statements for companies supposedly operated by the players.
The most audacious element involved Davis appearing at virtual loan closings disguised as the athletes. Prosecutors claim he wore wigs, makeup, and in one instance a durag to complete the impersonation. During a January 2024 closing for the fake Njoku loan, Davis allegedly provided a fake Georgia driver's license featuring Njoku's picture but with a license number belonging to a woman from Savannah, Georgia.
Additional Fraud Case and Legal Consequences
In a separate November 2025 Indiana federal lawsuit, First Farmers Bank & Trust Co. sued an insurer for not covering a fraudulent $5.265 million loan extended to someone the bank believed was David Njoku. This loan was also brokered by Sure Sports, and the fraud methods described match those in the Georgia cases, though it's unclear if this loan is among the thirteen mentioned in the criminal information.
Davis and Evins face charges of aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with the latter carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. A plea hearing is scheduled for April 27. Evins is described in court filings as the founder and operator of Deed Chasers LLC, which served as registered agent for companies appearing to be associated with professional football players.
Football Background and Responses
Davis was one of Nick Saban's first major recruits at Alabama, having initially committed to Louisiana State before joining the Crimson Tide. He played all 14 games during the 2009 season that culminated in Alabama's national championship victory over Texas in January 2010.
Aliya Sports declined to comment further on the matter, while Sure Sports did not respond to requests for comment. Lawyers listed for Davis and Evins in court filings also did not reply for comment, and the U.S. prosecutor's office for the Northern District of Georgia declined to provide additional information about the ongoing case.
