Former New Mexico Democratic leader pleads guilty to misusing school funds, faces 10½-year sentence

Sheryl Williams Stapleton, who served as a senior Democratic legislator and former House majority leader in New Mexico, changed her plea to guilty on state fraud, money-laundering and related charges. Prosecutors allege she funneled more than $3 million of federal vocational-education funds to Robotics Management Learning Systems LLC, a company owned by her associate Joseph Johnson, by manipulating the school district’s procurement process.

The plea agreement drops all but four of the original charges and calls for a 10½-year prison sentence together with restitution of more than $1.8 million. This state resolution follows a federal jury verdict that convicted both Stapleton and Johnson on dozens of similar counts. The New Mexico Department of Justice said the sentencing range will ensure a period of incarceration beyond what the state could impose alone. Stapleton’s attorney has not provided comment, and the case underscores concerns about the misuse of public education money.