<p>A preacher convicted of defrauding hundreds of small, black churches out of nearly $9 million faces sentencing April 15.</p><p>A federal jury in Rome found Abraham Kennard guilty Monday on 116 counts, ranging from mail fraud to tax evasion. Prosecutors said he ran a pyramid scheme largely meant to take advantage of a network of black preachers.</p><p>"This was a disturbing criminal scheme that preyed on trusting members of the faith community," U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said.</p><p>Kennard, 46, of Wildwood, which is near the Georgia-Tennessee border, maintained he never intended to defraud anyone but was trying to help the churches.</p><p>Prosecutors said Kennard claimed his company, Network International Investment Corp., was developing Christian resorts around the country. He told preachers that for a fee of a few thousand dollars, their churches could be "members" of his company. In return, he promised that in time the churches would get a grant or a forgivable loan of up to $500,000.</p><p>The scheme spread as the trusting ministers told their friends, relatives and fellow pastors, prosecutors said. Overall, 1,600 churches in 41 states were affected.</p><p>Kennard could receive around 30 years in prison for the crimes, according to estimates from the U.S. Attorney's Office.</p><p>Kennard's brother, Laboyce, was also found guilty Monday of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors said he accepted more than $360,000 from his brother.</p><p>Laboyce Kennard's attorney, Giles Jones, said his client was only trying to start his own business and had no knowledge of his brother's church enterprise.</p><p>The Kennards' cousin, Jannie Trammel, and stepbrother, Alvin Jasper, also were indicted but pleaded guilty and testified at the trial.</p><p>They also will be sentenced April 15.</p><p>Lawyer R. Scott Cunningham, 52, of Dalton is charged with money laundering, but will be tried later.</p><p>After the verdict, Kennard agreed to forfeit the assets seized by the government, including his residence and business headquarters, $600,000 in cash and 18 vehicles.</p><p>His lawyer, Michael Trost of Atlanta, said Kennard "remains guardedly optimistic."</p>
