Mississippi woman, former national park employee pleads guilty to theft of government funds

A Mississippi woman pleaded guilty to stealing park admission fees while she was employed as a Supervisory Fee Management Specialist at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Yolanda Ward, 40, of Vicksburg, confessed to removing cash deposits from a safe and keeping the money for personal use while she was employed as a supervisor at the military park from 2017 to 2019. Ward was responsible for depositing the fees. Ward stated that she used the stolen funds to pay her bills and gamble at the local casino. Ward also provided the park’s stolen funds to her family members to gamble at the casino.

Ward pled guilty today to theft of government funds. She is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Katherine Balestra of the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, and Superintendent Carrie Mardorf of the Vicksburg National Military Park made the announcement.

The Department of Interior Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Stuart and Kimberly Purdie are prosecuting the case.