A Louisiana pastor and author has been convicted of stealing more than $340,000 from his congregations to fund personal expenses and gambling. Dale Sanders, 56, was found guilty on 25 counts of wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation following a five-day jury trial.
Prosecutors stated that Sanders, of Kenner, withdrew funds from church bank accounts and transferred them to his personal accounts to subsidize lavish spending, including gambling, dining, and living costs. He served as pastor at the Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and the Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie. He also used a church debit card for unauthorized personal transactions, receiving cash, goods, and services totaling over $340,000. The period of fraud cited in the indictment spanned from April 2020 to April 2024.
In addition to the financial crimes, Sanders was accused of providing falsified records to a grand jury when subpoenaed. Following his indictment in April, Sanders posted a video on social media asking his congregants to pray for his "enemy," and thanked them for their prayers, stating he felt them working. He urged them to pray a Matthew 5:44 prayer, "Pray for them that despitefully use you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my namesake," adding that if they prayed for his enemy, God would deal with them.
Sanders, who also authored the book "Strut your Stutter," faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count. His sentencing is scheduled for October 13.
