Former Army Reservist Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS – Former United States Army reservist, LEROY DANIELS, JR. (“DANIELS”), was sentenced on April 25, 2024, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds. Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced DANIELS to 30 months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. Pursuant to the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act, Judge Brown also ordered DANIELS to pay $l1,693.87 in restitution to the United States Department of the Army. 

According to court records, 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.”

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.