Army Reservist Pleads Guilty in Federal Court in Louisiana to Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Funds by Collecting Money for Funeral Ceremonies Not Performed

New Orleans, Louisiana – An Army reservist has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Louisiana to conspiracy to commit theft of government funds by collecting money for funeral ceremonies that were not performed.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that on March 2, 2023, former United States Army reservist Lynea Sanders pled guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government funds, having stolen $21,780.18 from the United States Department of the Army by claiming reimbursement for the performance of military funeral honors ceremonies that never happened.

Military funeral honors are authorized under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 for active-duty soldiers, retirees, and veterans. At the request of a family, eligible individuals can receive military funeral honors, such as the folding and presentation of the United States flag and the playing of “Taps.”

Sanders faces a potential sentence of five (5) years in prison, three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment charge if he pleads guilty to conspiracy to steal government funds in violation of Chapter 18, United States Code, Section 371. Sanders has reimbursed the Army Department for the $21,780.18 in stolen monies.

U.S. Attorney Evans applauded the work of Special Agents Dustin Stevens, John Hiniker, Jeffrey Riedeman, and Denny Richter of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit.

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