Man Who Impersonated Rams Star Gets Prison Term for Fraud, Theft
A man who impersonated a Los Angeles Rams football player to defraud people of cash and jewelry pleaded guilty in Orange County Superior Court, authorities said Friday.
Darryl Bernard Nolan, 25, of Riverside was sentenced to 16 months in state prison on four charges of impersonation and three charges of grand theft stemming from his claims that he was offensive tackle Darryl Ashmore.
Nolan, wearing Rams jerseys and an NFL jacket, opened a checking account and rented a pager in the name of Ashmore, whom he resembles, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Nolan also frequented nightspots in Orange County, Long Beach and Palm Springs where he presented himself as the Rams star to gain the confidence of his victims. He stole jewelry from women and took money from men for bogus NFL merchandise or promises of game tickets.
The crimes occurred between September, 1992, and February, 1993. The investigation began after a victim saw the real Ashmore in a newspaper photograph and called the Rams offices. Ashmore was unaware of Nolan’s activities, authorities said.
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