SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a federal jury found Caddo Parish Commissioner Michael Dwayne Williams guilty of defrauding the Caddo Parish Commission and stealing from a nonprofit meant to help at-risk youth.

Williams, 55, of Shreveport, was found guilty of all 11 counts of wire fraud after a four-day trial that ended today after the jury deliberated for one hour. United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. presided over the trial. According to evidence presented at the trial, from October 1, 2012 through July 1, 2014, Williams devised a scheme to take more than $8,000 from a nonprofit’s bank account. Williams urged the parish commission to appropriate public funds for the nonprofit SWAG Nation. Once those funds were allocated from the parish’s budget to SWAG Nation, Williams caused a bank debit card to be issued for the nonprofit. Between April of 2013 and July of 2014, Williams used the card to remove money on numerous occasions. According to the indictment, he took $100 to $200 each time that he made a withdrawal. Evidence presented at trial showed the defendant used the card in excess of 45 times for cash withdrawals and other matters. SWAG Nation’s declared purpose is to partner with local institutions to help mentor and counsel at-risk individuals ages 7 to 17 so that they can better function in society.

Williams faces up to 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count. Sentencing is set for July 13, 2016.