Pastor Convicted of Stealing $340,000 From Two Churches to Fund Gambling

Pastor Convicted of Stealing $340,000 From Two Churches to Fund Gambling
Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie
The fraudulent activities reportedly occurred between April 2020 and April 2024

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

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Eko Hot Blog gathered that the pastor, Dale Sanders, was found guilty following a five-day jury trial on a 25-count federal indictment, which included charges of wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

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Prosecutors said Sanders, a resident of Kenner, unlawfully withdrew money from one church’s bank accounts and transferred the funds for his personal use, spending them on gambling, dining and other living expenses.

According to his social media profiles, Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie.

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Authorities also alleged that he used a church debit card to make unauthorised personal purchases and obtained cash, goods and services worth more than $340,000.

The fraudulent activities reportedly occurred between April 2020 and April 2024.

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

After he was indicted in April, Sanders posted a video on social media asking members of his congregation to pray for him and what he described as his “enemy.”

Sanders is also the author of Strut Your Stutter, a book encouraging readers to embrace their uniqueness.

He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee for each count. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.