A United States jury has convicted Louisiana pastor Dale Sanders of defrauding two churches of more than $340,000 and using the money to finance gambling, dining, living expenses and other personal purchases.
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Sanders, 56, of Kenner, Louisiana, was found guilty on 25 counts of wire fraud, access-device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation following a five-day trial before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long.
The jury returned the guilty verdict on Friday, July 17, 2026, while the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana subsequently announced the conviction.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Sanders used false representations and promises to obtain money and property from two religious institutions identified in court documents as Church A and Church B.
Prosecutors said he withdrew money from accounts belonging to Church A and transferred the funds into accounts under his control.
The funds were allegedly spent on gambling, restaurant bills, personal living costs and other expenses unrelated to the activities of the church.
Sanders was also accused of using Church A’s debit card to conduct unauthorised personal transactions and obtain cash, goods and services worth more than $340,000 to which he was not entitled.
The jury further convicted him of obstructing a federal investigation after prosecutors established that he supplied a falsified record in response to a grand jury subpoena.
The obstruction charge arose during the years-long federal investigation into the handling and movement of the churches’ funds.
Judge Long fixed October 13, 2026, for Sanders’ sentencing.
He faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or an amount equal to twice the gross financial gain or twice the loss suffered by the victims.
Sanders may also be placed under supervised release for up to three years after completing any prison sentence imposed by the court.
He is additionally required to pay a mandatory special assessment of $100 for each of the 25 counts on which he was convicted.
United States Attorney David I. Courcelle commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Orleans Field Office for investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn McHugh and Tracey Knight of the Financial Crimes Unit prosecuted the matter.
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