Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Former Clovis Pastor Pleads Guilty to Fraud. Could Get 20 Years in Prison.
Randy-Reed-Image
By Randy Reed, Operations Manager
Published 5 years ago on
September 18, 2020

Share

The former executive pastor of Sonrise Church in Clovis pleaded guilty to federal charges today in a case that saw members of his congregation and others defrauded out of more than $2 million.

Sherman Smith, 74, admitted in court to committing wire fraud and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott.

According to court documents, Smith made appeals from the pulpit, via email, and in person for money to pay off the church’s mortgage and fund an income-generating development benefiting the church.

Smith collected cash, checks, and rolled-over retirement accounts to fund the church’s project, but he did not disclose that he was using the money for personal expenses, to operate a publishing business, and to invest in foreign ventures, the release said.

This case was investigated by the FBI.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 11 in Fresno.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

DON'T MISS

Tulare Student Will Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

DON'T MISS

Federal Trade Court Blocks Trump From Imposing Sweeping Tariffs Under Emergency Powers Law

DON'T MISS

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

DON'T MISS

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

DON'T MISS

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

DON'T MISS

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

DON'T MISS

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

DON'T MISS

Tiger’s Son, Charlie Woods, Wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in Claiming 1st AJGA Event

UP NEXT

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

UP NEXT

CIF Expands Field, Changes Medal Rules for State Track Championships Amid Trump Pushback

UP NEXT

Harvard Agrees to Relinquish Early Photos of Slaves, Ending a Long Legal Battle

UP NEXT

Is This Weekend’s 100-Plus Degree Heat a Hint on What’s Coming This Summer?

UP NEXT

Silence on E. Coli Outbreak Highlights How Trump Team’s Changes Undermine Food Safety

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to $1 Million PPP Loan Fraud

UP NEXT

Clovis Apartment Fire Displaces Residents, Damages 8 Units

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Yer Vue

UP NEXT

RIP Local Broadcast Legend Marv Allen, 80, Longtime Voice of KVPR

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

6 hours ago

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

6 hours ago

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

6 hours ago

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

6 hours ago

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

7 hours ago

Fresno Man Faces Life in Prison for Fentanyl, Gun Charges

8 hours ago

Tiger’s Son, Charlie Woods, Wins Team TaylorMade Invitational in Claiming 1st AJGA Event

8 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: The Human Side of Law Enforcement

8 hours ago

CIF Expands Field, Changes Medal Rules for State Track Championships Amid Trump Pushback

8 hours ago

Get Ready for Several Years of Killer Heat, Top Weather Forecasters Warn

10 hours ago

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

WASHINGTON — Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading efforts to reduce and ov...

4 hours ago

Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon)
4 hours ago

Elon Musk Exiting Trump’s Team After Criticizing the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

5 hours ago

Tulare Student Will Compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals

6 hours ago

Federal Trade Court Blocks Trump From Imposing Sweeping Tariffs Under Emergency Powers Law

6 hours ago

Why Did the California Senate Shunt a Cost-Cutting Housing Bill?

6 hours ago

Fresno Teachers Call for Probe After Superintendent Orders Up Dossier Against Union

President Donald Trump holds a chart next to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
6 hours ago

US Court Blocks Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (not pictured) at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 28, 2025. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
6 hours ago

Rubio Says US Will Start Revoking Visas for Chinese Students

7 hours ago

CA Man’s 378-Year Sentence Overturned After Judge Rules Accuser May Have Made Up Charges

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend