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] IRS 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] Jurors 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] Two 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] Evidence 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] A 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] The kittens are currently in stable condition and are recovering, being monitored for any ear or eye irritation from the chemical. ^[7] The kittens were immediately and thoroughly cleaned and examined, then washed several more times to remove the chemicals from their fur and skin. ^[8]