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    "headline": "Former Missouri Pastor Convicted on 20 Counts of Pandemic and Loan Fraud",
    "dek": "A federal jury convicted Kenneth C. Sparks III of 20 charges involving nearly $1.9 million in fraud schemes.",
    "prose": "A federal jury convicted former Missouri visiting pastor Kenneth C. Sparks III on 20 charges tied to pandemic relief, automobile, and personal loan fraud schemes totaling nearly $1.9 million. [^1]\n\nIRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Aaron Joifrita testified that $1.2 million in pandemic loans were obtained in the names of parishioners and church employees. [^2]\n\nJurors found Sparks guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six wire fraud counts, three aggravated identity theft counts, and 10 money laundering counts. [^3]\n\nTwo kittens were discovered in a duffel bag after being thrown from a moving pickup truck near Manchester Road and Knox Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. [^4]\n\nEvidence showed that slightly more than $1 million in pandemic loan proceeds went to Sparks, including $313,000 in checks written to himself and $172,000 obtained through cash withdrawals or advances. [^5]\n\nA good Samaritan who saw the duffel bag being thrown out the window of the vehicle stopped to investigate and found two kittens covered in a chemical, possibly bleach. [^6]\n\nThe kittens are currently in stable condition and are recovering, being monitored for any ear or eye irritation from the chemical. [^7]\n\nThe kittens were immediately and thoroughly cleaned and examined, then washed several more times to remove the chemicals from their fur and skin. [^8]",
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      "statement": "A federal jury convicted former Missouri visiting pastor Kenneth C. Sparks III on 20 charges tied to pandemic relief, automobile, and personal loan fraud schemes totaling nearly $1.9 million.",
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