No bail for the would-be NFL star: Prosecutors say Daejon Love has "every reason to flee"
Prosecutors claim the accused scammer has little reason to remain in the community if released from custody
Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to keep Daejon Love in custody, arguing the man accused of pretending to be a San Francisco 49ers player is a serious flight risk and has little tying him to any particular community.
The 35-year-old was arrested with 18-year-old Taylor Jamie Chan at Boise Airport on August 24. Both face federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with an alleged romance and investment scheme that investigators say brought in roughly $1.3 million from 26 women.
According to prosecutors, the alleged operation began in February 2022 and continued for more than four years. Love allegedly met women through dating apps and social media, where he created fake identities and repeatedly claimed to be an NFL player or a wealthy real estate investor.
Among the names he allegedly used were Jon Love, Avril Lyto Love and Jordan Love . Prosecutors say Chan presented himself as Love's financial adviser, helping create the impression that Love had accumulated a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars.
The pair allegedly used fabricated investment opportunities and fake financial accounts to convince victims that their money would generate significant returns. Investigators say Love would show women screenshots of supposed bank and investment balances to make the accounts appear legitimate.
Some victims allegedly gave Love or Chan large sums of money, while others were reportedly encouraged to take out personal loans with promises that they would be repaid.
Prosecutors say the women received neither the promised investment returns nor repayment of the money they provided.
Authorities believe the actual number of victims could be considerably higher than the 26 women identified so far.
Prosecutors say Love has "every reason to flee"
The government's request for continued detention focuses heavily on Love's alleged lifestyle and movements before his arrest. Prosecutors reportedly described him as "nomadic," saying he traveled through six states in the weeks leading up to his arrest and frequently moved between hotels rather than maintaining a permanent residence.
Authorities also say Love has no known legitimate employment or significant community ties in Idaho, where he was taken into custody. Prosecutors argue those circumstances would make it easier for him to leave the area if he were released.
His alleged use of multiple identities is another concern for the government. Prosecutors contend that Love's history of adopting false personas shows he can't be trusted to appear voluntarily for future court proceedings.
They say the strength of the evidence, combined with the potential penalties he faces, gives him "every incentive to flee."
The investigation also includes videos that allegedly show Love presenting an extravagant NFL lifestyle to potential victims. In some footage, he reportedly discusses luxury vehicles, expensive homes and substantial wealth. Another video allegedly shows him staging what investigators describe as a fake NFL contract signing.
Authorities say the alleged scheme relied on convincing women that they were entering genuine romantic relationships while simultaneously offering them opportunities to build wealth.
Love and Chan remain in federal custody as the case proceeds.
