ATLANTA — A one-time University of Alabama defensive lineman admitted his guilt Monday in a federal courtroom for swindling investors out of millions through an elaborate disguise scheme where he posed as professional football players.
Luther Davis, 37, accepted responsibility for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges in Atlanta federal court. His co-conspirator, CJ Evins, 29, who allegedly helped orchestrate the fraudulent operation, also entered guilty pleas on identical charges.
Neither defendant spoke to reporters as they exited the courthouse. Federal Judge Steven Grimberg set Davis’s sentencing hearing for October, while Evins will face sentencing in August. Both men could receive up to seven years behind bars, though prosecutors have agreed to seek reduced sentences under their plea agreements.
During Monday’s proceedings, federal prosecutor C. Brock Brockington explained how the defendants created fraudulent banking and email accounts to convince financial institutions they were either representing specific athletes or were the players themselves. The duo eventually targeted more prominent players with larger contracts, according to testimony.
A players’ union security team discovered that athletes’ contracts were being illegally used as loan collateral, Brockington stated.
Throughout 2024, Davis donned various disguises during video conferences with potential investors, masquerading as three separate NFL players. Court documents reveal he used makeup combined with a wig during one call, just a wig for another meeting, and a do-rag-style head covering for a third video session. Prosecutors identified the impersonated players only by their initials.
The NFL players never gave Davis and Evins permission to secure loans using their identities. Beyond the costume changes, federal authorities say Davis created counterfeit driver’s licenses featuring photos of the athletes downloaded from the internet.
The fraudulent operation generated approximately $20 million through at least 13 bogus loans, money that Davis and Evins spent on property purchases, expensive jewelry, and luxury vehicles, according to criminal charges filed last month.
Davis was part of Alabama’s national championship team in 2010.
