Former national park worker in Mississippi pleads guilty to theft

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi woman who worked at the Vicksburg National Military Park pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing park admission fees, federal prosecutors said.

Yolanda Ward, 40, of Vicksburg, admitted 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, U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi said in a news release.

Ward said she used the money to gamble at a casino in the city and to pay bills, authorities said. She also gave funds to relatives for them to gamble as well, the news release said.

Ward faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for Nov. 4.