September 19, 2026
ST. LOUIS — A Moberly man was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $284,000 obtained through fraudulent rental-assistance applications, federal prosecutors said.
Steven W. Hendren, 34, pleaded guilty in June to one felony count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court records cited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office show he was sentenced Sept. 8.
Prosecutors said Hendren submitted fraudulent applications to Missouri’s State Assistance for Housing Relief program from March 2021 through June 2024. The applications included false landlord information, altered lease agreements and inflated rent amounts, according to the government.
The program was created to help eligible households pay rent, utility bills and related expenses during the pandemic.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman prosecuted it.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
