New Orleans-Area Pastor Convicted of Stealing More Than $340,000 From Churches, Federal Jury Finds

NEW ORLEANS (BAMM Network) — A federal jury has convicted a Louisiana pastor on multiple fraud charges after prosecutors said he stole more than $340,000 from churches he led and used the money to pay for personal expenses, including gambling, dining and living costs.

Dale Sanders' Facebook profile photo.

Dale Sanders, 56, of Kenner, was found guilty following a five-day trial on charges including wire fraud, access device fraud and obstruction of a federal investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 13 before U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long. Sanders faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the wire fraud counts, along with substantial fines and supervised release.

According to prosecutors, Sanders carried out the scheme between April 2020 and April 2024 by transferring money from church bank accounts into accounts he controlled, making unauthorized purchases with a church debit card and receiving cash, goods and services totaling more than $340,000.

Prosecutors also said Sanders attempted to obstruct the investigation by providing a falsified record in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.

"The evidence presented at trial established that Sanders defrauded Church A and Church B in order to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in its announcement of the verdict.

Pastor Dale Sanders poses for a selfie with members of a congregation while standing at the front of a church. The image was posted to Sanders' Facebook page.

The Department of Justice press release does not identify the two churches involved, referring to them only as "Church A" and "Church B." However, public records and Sanders' social media profiles indicate he served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie during the time period outlined in the indictment. Federal prosecutors have not publicly confirmed whether those are the churches identified in court documents.

Dale Sanders preaches to a congregation in a photo posted on his Facebook page.

U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle credited the FBI's New Orleans Field Office with leading the investigation.

"U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation – New Orleans Field Office in investigating this matter," the Justice Department said in its statement.

The case drew attention across southeast Louisiana because of Sanders' visibility beyond the pulpit. In addition to serving as a pastor, he maintained a strong social media presence and authored the book Strut Your Stutter, a motivational work encouraging people to embrace their differences.

The conviction concludes the trial phase of the federal case, though Sanders will not be formally sentenced until October. Federal prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek restitution in addition to any prison sentence.