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Thomas Trotta, 49, of Dunmore, was sentenced on Friday, March 14 to serve 96 months in prison, followed by supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,759,073 in restitution for his role in the massive multi-state theft operation targeting fine art, sports memorabilia, and historic artifacts worth over $4 million the FBI announced on Tuesday, March 18.
Trotta and his co-conspirators carried out a string of museum heists across at least five states, stealing priceless artifacts and historic memorabilia before melting some items down for resale.
Stolen Items
- Andy Warhol’s Le Grande Passion and Jackson Pollock’s Springs Winter, stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, PA.
- Yogi Berra’s 10 World Series rings, seven other championship rings, and two MVP plaques, worth over $1 million, stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in New Jersey.
- Roger Maris’ Hickok Belt and MVP Trophy, stolen in 2016 from the Roger Maris Museum in North Dakota.
- Six boxing championship belts, stolen in 2015 from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York.
- 14 trophies and awards valued at over $300,000, stolen in 2012 from the Harness Racing Museum in New York.
- Three antique firearms worth $1 million, stolen in 2006 from Space Farms Zoo & Museum in New Jersey.
- A Tiffany Lamp, stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society in Pennsylvania.
- Gold nuggets worth $400,000, stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in New Jersey.
- Jasper Cropsey’s Upper Hudson painting, valued at $500,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in New Jersey—later burned by Dombek to destroy evidence, authorities said.
Sentencings
Trotta was part of an eight-person crime ring. His co-conspirators—Nicholas Dombek, 54, of Thornhurst, Damien Boland, 48, of Moscow, and Joseph Atsus, 48, of Roaring Brook—were convicted earlier this year and are awaiting sentencing.
Three other members of the gang have already been sentenced:
- Dawn Trotta, 53, of Dunmore – 15 months in prison for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork.
- Frank Tassiello, 52, of Taylor – 6 months in prison for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork.
- Ralph Parry, 47, of Springbrook Township – 3 years of probation with home confinement.
Investigation
The stolen items were taken to northeastern Pennsylvania, where the crew melted down memorabilia into metal discs or bars and sold them in the New York City area for a fraction of their actual value, investigators said.
The FBI and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and North Dakota investigated the case.
Additional co-conspirators pleaded guilty and await sentencing. Dombek and Boland face a maximum of five years for conspiracy and up to ten years for each additional charge. Sentencing dates have not yet been scheduled. Former co-defendant Alfred Atsus was acquitted at trial.
How You Can Help
Authorities have recovered some stolen antique firearms, but many valuable paintings and artifacts remain missing.
As some of the stolen art is still missing you might be able to help solve that mystery.
Download the FBI's stole art app and submit tips.
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