The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office has charged Malcolm Xavier Walker once more, this time in York County, Virginia, for allegedly defrauding families out of thousands of dollars by pretending to be a college football recruiter.
Investigators said the 40-year-old Georgia man persuaded a parent to give him over $20,000 for football recruiting services he never provided, leading to his arrest on July 31, according to Fox5 Atlanta.
Walker promised to set up campus visits, make highlight reels, and find scholarship opportunities for the victim’s son, according to the York County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly took the money and then stopped answering.
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Walker was accused of carrying out a similar scam in March when coach and mentor Phyllip Becoats came out with similar allegations. Gainesville police subsequently charged Walker with theft by deception.
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Becoats claimed he recruited Walker to present Gainesville High School senior B.J. Bailey to college recruiters. Walker allegedly requested more than $1,000 to pay travel expenses after claiming he had lined up a visit to the University of Colorado. However, Walker stopped returning calls, and the trip never took place.
“Since I was maybe 10. I’ve been playing football since then,” Gainesville High School senior Baiely previously told Fox5 Atlanta.
According to Bailey, playing collegiate football has always been his dream, particularly to please his father and uncles, who were unable to fulfill it. For this reason, he fully consented to Walker filming a promotional video of him.
Walker subsequently called Bailey’s coach Becoats around three months later with an amazing offer.
Walker claimed he had coaches at the University of Colorado who wanted Bailey to visit because they were interested in him.
“Man, they want to see your kid, bro!” Walker could be heard saying in the voice message that was shared.
Walker allegedly shared videos on social media that appeared to support his story, according to Becoats. And because Walker had tens of thousands of social media followers, the coach didn’t give it any thought.
“I’m seeing him at Colorado rubbing elbows with the coaches. Plus, he’s dealing with his kid. So I’m thinking he’s a good guy,” Becoats said.
Walker then told Becoats that he only needed Becoats to pay him because he had already arranged for the flights, hotel, and game tickets for a vacation to Colorado.
“I gave him, I think, $1,023,” Becoats said.
When the time arrived, however, Walker unexpectedly called off the trip, promising to go again later. Walker continued to delay and make reasons for why they couldn’t travel for about six months.
Finally, Becoats requested a refund. Walker promised to pay him back in five days. Walker’s five-day silence lasted weeks.
“He kept blowing me off and blowing me off and then that’s when I just got to the point like, ‘Man, I ain’t even going to worry about it and I’m just going to go up here to Gainesville Police Department and file a report on it,'” Becoats recounted.
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Gainesville Police Lt. Kevin Holbrook said of the situation at the time, “He talks the talk, but, unfortunately, that’s all he’s got going for him. He’s just stealing these people’s money and leaving them with absolutely nothing.”
And, while Bailey eventually gained a spot at another college thanks to the backing of his committed coach, officials believe Walker has employed the same method across Georgia and several other East Coast states.
On each occasion, he allegedly pretended to be a reputable recruiter, acquired the trust of families, stole their money, and vanished. Perhaps he was more credible because of his enormous social media following.
Walker was moved from Georgia to Virginia to face additional charges.
