Former Army Reservist Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Government Funds

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that former United States Army reservist LEROY DANIELS, JR.  pled guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government funds. DANIELS stole $11,693.87 from the United States Department of the Army by claiming reimbursement for the performance of military funeral honors ceremonies that never occurred. 

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 authorizes military funeral honors (MFH) for active-duty soldiers, retirees, and veterans.  At a family’s request, eligible persons can receive military funeral honors, including the folding and presenting of the United States flag and the playing of “Taps.”

According to court documents, in or about May 2013 and continuing until in or about June 2016, DANIELS and a co-defendant conspired to obtain money from the United States under false pretenses by submitting false applications for MFH payment requests for services that had not been performed to the Department of the Army.   

As a result of this conspiracy, DANIELS received approximately $l1,693.87 from the United States government to which he knew he was not entitled.  DANIELS faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, including Special Agents Dustin Stevens, John Hiniker, Jeffrey Riedeman, and Denny Richter.  Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.