Thomas Trotta, a 49-year-old resident of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 13, 2025. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion for the theft of major artwork and includes a supervised release period and restitution payment of $2,759,073.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Trotta had previously pleaded guilty to stealing numerous valuable items. These included artworks like Andy Warhol's "Le Grande Passion" and Jackson Pollock's "Springs Winter," both taken from the Everhart Museum in Scranton in 2005.
Trotta also admitted to stealing various sports memorabilia over several years: World Series rings and MVP plaques belonging to Yogi Berra from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center; championship belts from the International Boxing Hall of Fame; trophies from museums across New York; antique firearms; gold nuggets; and more.
The thefts were part of a larger conspiracy involving eight individuals. Co-conspirators Nicholas Dombek, Damien Boland, and Joseph Atsus were convicted after a trial earlier this year but are still awaiting sentencing. Others involved have already been sentenced, including Dawn Trotta with 15 months imprisonment and Ralph Parry with three years probation.
The stolen goods were often melted down into metal discs or bars for sale in New York City at prices much lower than their market value. Notably, Dombek destroyed the painting "Upper Hudson" by Jasper Crospey to prevent its recovery as evidence.
Law enforcement agencies across multiple states conducted an extensive investigation leading to these convictions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with state police departments from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and other local agencies collaborated on this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys James M. Buchanan, Jenny Roberts, and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.