Roanoke man who claimed to be a pro baseball player to defraud women in elaborate scams sentenced to federal prison
Roanoke, Virginia – A Roanoke man was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after federal authorities uncovered an elaborate web of lies that included impersonating professional baseball officials and failing to register as a se- offender.
Janike Dunbar Holt, 29, who also went by a number of aliases, including “Nike,” “Janike Tagovailoa,” “Keanu Tagovailoa,” and “Trey Tagovailoa,” pled guilty to one count of failure to register under the Se- Offender Registration and Notification Act and one count of making a false statement to law enforcement.
Court records show that Holt was convicted in 2018 in North Carolina for having se-ual relations with a 15-year-old, resulting in three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. After his release in October 2018, Holt initially complied with se- offender registration laws. But in June 2022, he failed to report a change of address, triggering federal charges.
A Pattern of Deceit
Authorities say Holt’s deceitful behavior extended far beyond failing to update his address. He repeatedly posed as someone else, targeting multiple women with carefully constructed lies to gain money and access to their resources.
In March 2022, Holt began dating a woman referred to in court documents as Individual 1. She had a minor child (Minor A), whom Holt falsely claimed was his own. He used this lie to ask several other women for money, claiming it was for the child’s needs or to gain custody. None of the funds were ever used for the child.
That same year, Holt began a relationship with Individual 2. Again, he said he had a child and needed money for diapers and gas. She gave him $65 and also allowed him access to her bank accounts. Holt then stole $5,000, which she later managed to recover.
While living with another woman, Individual 3, Holt escalated his criminal behavior. He stole checks from her, wrote one to himself for $225,000 marked “Lawsuit Refund” and another for $75,000 labeled “Law-suit settlement.” Though the checks were never cashed, he attempted to use others, referred to as Individual 5, 7, and 8, to do it for him.
Fake Baseball Career and Manipulated Relationships
In early 2023, Holt moved from North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia. He stayed briefly with his brother before moving in with another girlfriend, Individual 6. During his stay in Roanoke, he never registered as a se- offender, which was required under federal law.
To continue manipulating those around him, Holt told his brother and others, including Individual 6, Individual 7, and Individual 8, that he had been recruited to play for a Major League Baseball team. He backed up his claims using burner phones to impersonate real officials from professional baseball organizations—without their knowledge.
Holt claimed that everyone in his circle would be moving with him due to his new baseball career. As a result, Individual 7 and Individual 8 sold their vehicles and gave Holt the money. He also tried to sell Individual 6’s car without telling her.
Arrest and Final Lies
On March 14, 2023, Holt was arrested on a warrant out of North Carolina. Even during his interview with a deputy U.S. marshal, he continued lying. Holt claimed he had a child, said he had not been living in Roanoke but instead was commuting frequently, and falsely stated that his probation officer was aware of his movements.
After pleading guilty, Holt received a 41-month federal prison sentence for his crimes. His story serves as a chilling reminder of how layered deception and manipulation can be used not just to evade justice but to exploit others emotionally and financially.
