A United States pastor, Dale Sanders, has been convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches in Louisiana and using the funds to finance gambling and other personal expenses.
Sanders, 56, was found guilty by a federal jury on 25 counts, including wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long.
The conviction was announced in a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana and published by the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to federal prosecutors, Sanders orchestrated a scheme to defraud the two churches by obtaining money and property through false and fraudulent representations.
Investigators said Sanders transferred money from one church’s bank accounts into accounts under his control and spent the funds on personal expenses, including gambling, dining, and daily living costs.
Prosecutors also revealed that he used the church’s debit card to carry out unauthorized personal transactions, receiving cash, goods, and services worth more than $340,000 to which he was not entitled.
In addition to the fraud-related charges, the jury found Sanders guilty of obstructing a federal investigation into the financial crimes.
He is expected to be sentenced at a later date, where he could face significant penalties under U.S. federal law.This version follows a standard online news style, improves readability, and ends with a forward-looking sentence that keeps readers engaged.
