Joseph Atsus was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in prison, followed by supervised release, and to pay $1,071,150 in restitution.
LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — A man involved in an art theft ring in Lackawanna County has been sentenced.
Last year, a jury found Joseph Atsus, 51, of Covington Township, guilty of conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property, as well as other related offenses.
Atsus was convicted of stealing several artworks, antiques, and sports memorabilia, including:
“Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” purportedly by Jackson Pollock stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, PennsylvaniaThree antique firearms stolen in 2006 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey“Upper Hudson” by Jasper Crospey, worth approximately $120,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New JerseyAntique firearms worth over $150,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New JerseyMemorabilia belonging to Christy Matthewson, stolen in 1999 from Keystone College in Factoryville, PennsylvaniaGolf trophies and memorabilia belonging to Art Wall, Jr., stolen in 2011 from the Scranton Country Club located in Clarks Summit, PennsylvaniaOver $100,000 worth of gold nuggets stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum located in Ogdensburg, New JerseyNine World Series rings, seven championship and other rings, and two MVP plaques all belonging to Yogi Berra stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center located in Little Falls, New Jersey
Atsus was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in prison, followed by supervised release, and must also pay $1,071,150 in restitution.
Authorities say Atsus committed the thefts as part of a larger, eight-person conspiracy.
Another co-conspirator, Nicholas Dombek, is still awaiting sentencing.