Luther Davis and CJ Evins pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft for allegedly posing as professional athletes to obtain roughly $19.845M in fraudulent loans. Prosecutors say the defendants used fake collateral/contracts and disguises, including wigs and makeup, to impersonate athletes at loan closings.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Luther Davis and CJ Evins admitted their roles in a large fraud and identity theft scheme that targeted professional athletes. Prosecutors said the defendants allegedly secured about $19.845 million in fraudulent loans by impersonating athletes and presenting fake paperwork to lenders. The release states that Davis and Evins used counterfeit collateral and contractual documents as part of the loan-closing process. To strengthen the deception, they allegedly wore wigs and makeup to make themselves resemble the athletes they purported to represent, enabling them to appear credible during interactions with financial institutions. The government charged the defendants with wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, reflecting both the financial fraud element and the use of stolen or misused identities to obtain money. The case highlights how identity theft can be operationalized into high-dollar lending fraud, not just standalone account-takeover activity. The guilty plea underscores how impersonation and document fabrication can be combined to bypass verification and obtain financing based on fraudulent representations.