US Pastor Convicted of Stealing $340,000 for Gambling

Dale Sanders, a 56-year-old pastor, was convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from two churches in Louisiana to finance gambling and other personal expenses. A jury found him guilty on 25 counts, including wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, after a five-day trial presided over by US District Judge Brandon S.

Long. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana announced the conviction, detailing that Sanders defrauded Church A and Church B through materially false pretenses.

He withdrew funds from Church A’s bank accounts and used the church's debit card for unauthorized personal transactions, accumulating over $340,000 in cash, goods, and services. Additionally, he obstructed a federal investigation by providing falsified records in response to a grand jury subpoena.

Sanders is scheduled for sentencing on October 13, 2026, and could face up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and other penalties.