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Former New Mexico lawmaker pleads guilty in state school fund fraud case

Sheryl Williams Stapleton reached a plea deal calling for prison time and over $1.8 million in restitution.

Updated Sep 4, 2026 · 23:19 UTC2 reports

The short version

Former state lawmaker Sheryl Williams Stapleton pleaded guilty to state fraud and money laundering charges three weeks after a related federal conviction.[Associated Press · ABC News]
The state plea agreement drops all but four charges, calling for a 10 1/2-year prison sentence and more than $1.8 million in restitution.[Associated Press]
Federal prosecutors alleged Albuquerque Public Schools diverted over $3 million to a firm owned by co-defendant Joseph Johnson, who was also convicted.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Williams Stapleton and Johnson await sentencing in federal court, where defense attorneys previously indicated plans to appeal the verdicts.[Associated Press]

Sheryl Williams Stapleton pleaded guilty to state charges including fraud and money laundering three weeks after a federal jury conviction.[Associated Press · ABC News]
Under the state plea agreement, all but four charges were dropped, specifying a 10 1/2-year prison sentence and over $1.8 million in restitution.[Associated Press]
Williams Stapleton resigned from the New Mexico House of Representatives in summer 2021 after home search warrants and was fired by Albuquerque Public Schools.[ABC News]
Federal prosecutors alleged the school district paid more than $3 million to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, owned by co-defendant Joseph Johnson.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Sentencing dates in federal court remain pending, and defense attorneys previously indicated intentions to appeal the federal convictions.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.