Roanoke man who defrauded multiple women using fake names and bogus stories about fatherhood pleads guilty to federal charges

Roanoke, Virginia – A Roanoke man with a troubling past has now admitted to a pattern of deception that spanned multiple states, identities, and victims. Janike Dunbar Holt, 29, who used several aliases, including “Nike,” “Janike Tagovailoa,” “Keanu Tagovailoa,” and “Trey Tagovailoa,” pleaded guilty in federal court to two felony counts — failure to register as a se- offender and making false statements to law enforcement.

The charges stem from Holt’s repeated failure to follow federal law under the Se- Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) and his elaborate schemes involving fake personas, financial theft, and emotional manipulation.

Holt was previously convicted in August 2018 on four counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in North Carolina after having a se-ual relationship with a 15-year-old. Following his release in October 2018, he initially registered as required but later stopped updating his address in June 2022. This violation alone placed him in direct breach of SORNA.

Manipulating Women for Money and Trust

Starting in March 2022, Holt began a relationship with a woman referred to as Individual 1, who had a minor child (Minor A). Though not the child’s father, Holt falsely told others that he was. He began asking multiple women for money under false pretenses — claiming it was for visiting or supporting Minor A, or to help with a custody battle. Authorities later confirmed that none of the money he received was actually used for the child’s benefit.

By October of the same year, Holt was involved with another woman, referred to as Individual 2. He convinced her that he needed $65 for diapers and gas, and she gave him access to her bank accounts. Holt then stole $5,000 from her. Fortunately, she was able to recover the funds through her bank.

The deceit didn’t stop there. Holt also pursued relationships with Individual 3 and Individual 5, living with the former and stealing at least three of her checks. He filled out one check and had Individual 5 cash it. On another, he wrote a staggering $225,000 with the memo “Lawsuit Refund,” though it was never processed. Yet another was filled in for $75,000, labeled “Law-suit settlement,” and he tried to convince Individuals 7 and 8 to cash it — a request they ultimately refused.

Faking a Baseball Career and Selling False Promises

In February 2023, Holt moved from North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia, where he briefly lived with his brother before moving in with a new girlfriend, referred to as Individual 6. Despite being legally required to register as a se- offender in Virginia, Holt failed to do so throughout his stay.

While in Roanoke, Holt continued spinning lies. He frequently visited a house occupied by Individual 7 — the mother of his brother’s children — and her mother, Individual 8. There, Holt fabricated an entirely false story claiming he had been recruited by a Major League Baseball team. To support this lie, he used burner phones to send texts while impersonating real officials from both Major and Minor League teams — none of whom knew their identities were being used.

“He told his brother, Individual 6, Individual 7, and Individual 8 that they would all be moving as a result of his purported Major League Baseball career,” federal court documents revealed. Believing his story, Individual 7 and Individual 8 sold some of their vehicles and gave Holt the proceeds. Holt even attempted to sell Individual 6’s vehicle without her knowing.

Arrest, Lies, and Legal Action

On March 14, 2023, Holt’s long-running schemes began to unravel. He was arrested in Virginia on a warrant out of North Carolina. During his interview with a deputy U.S. marshal, Holt continued to fabricate stories. He falsely claimed he had a child, denied living in Roanoke, and asserted that his probation officer was aware of his frequent interstate travel — all of which were lies.

Now, Holt stands convicted once again — this time for federal offenses that expose the dangerous extent of his manipulations. The U.S. Marshals Service continues to investigate the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff is handling the prosecution. Holt’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.