US Pastor Convicted of Stealing Over $340,000 From Churches to Fund Gambling and Personal Expenses

A 56 year old pastor and author in Louisiana, United States, has been convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches where he served as a minister and using the funds to finance gambling and other personal expenses.

The pastor, Dale Sanders, was found guilty by a federal jury on a 25 count indictment following a five day trial. The charges included wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation.

According to prosecutors, Sanders withdrew money from church bank accounts and diverted the funds for personal use, including gambling, dining and other living expenses.

Authorities also alleged that he used a church debit card to make unauthorised personal purchases and obtain cash, goods and services valued at more than $340,000. The alleged offences reportedly occurred between April 2020 and April 2024.

Prosecutors further accused Sanders of submitting a falsified record in response to a federal grand jury subpoena during the investigation.

Following his indictment in April, the pastor reportedly shared a video on social media asking members of his congregation to pray for him and what he described as his “enemy.”

Sanders, who is also an author, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.