BREAKING: US PASTOR CONVICTED OF STEALING OVER $340,000 FROM CHURCHES TO FUND GAMBLING

US PASTOR CONVICTED OF STEALING OVER $340,000 FROM CHURCHES TO FUND GAMBLING

A United States pastor, Dale Sanders, has been convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches in Louisiana to finance gambling and other personal expenses.

Sanders, 56, was found guilty 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 by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana in a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to prosecutors, Sanders orchestrated a scheme to defraud two churches by transferring funds from church bank accounts into accounts under his control through false representations.

The Justice Department stated that Sanders withdrew church funds and used the money to cover personal expenses, including gambling, dining and living costs. Prosecutors also said he made unauthorized personal purchases using one church's debit card, obtaining more than $340,000 in cash, goods and services to which he was not entitled.

In addition to the fraud-related convictions, the jury found Sanders guilty of obstructing a federal investigation by submitting a falsified record in response to a grand jury subpoena.

Judge Brandon S. Long has scheduled Sanders' sentencing for October 13, 2026.

If sentenced to the maximum penalties, Sanders could face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the financial gain or loss resulting from the offences, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.

The U.S. Attorney's Office commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New Orleans Field Office for conducting the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Tracey Knight prosecuted the case.