A North Pocono man was sentenced for his role in a high-profile theft that targeted art and sports memorabilia in multiple states — a sentence that was less than what federal prosecutors requested.

Senior U.S. District Judge Malachy Mannion on Tuesday sentenced Joseph Atsus, 51, of Covington Twp., to four years in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release, for conspiracy, theft of major artwork and concealment/disposal of major artwork. The judge also ordered Atsus to pay $1,071,150 in restitution.

Prosecutors said Atsus was among nine people involved in the theft ring that spanned two decades and stole millions of dollars’ worth of art, antique coins and firearms, World Series rings, golf trophies and more from museums, galleries, halls of fame, estates and jewelry stores in Pennsylvania, other states and Washington, D.C.

Items stolen locally included Jackson Pollock’s “Springs Winter” and Andy Warhol’s “La Grande Passion” from the Everhart Museum in Scranton; Factoryville native and baseball great Christy Mathewson’s contracts and other memorabilia from Keystone College; a century-old Tiffany lamp from the Lackawanna Historical Society; and professional golfer Art Wall Jr.’s trophies from the Country Club of Scranton in South Abington Twp.

Authorities said the men transported the stolen items to the area, often to the home of Nicholas Dombek, and melted them down into metal discs or bars. They then sold the raw metal to fences in the New York City area for dollar amounts significantly less than the sports memorabilia would be worth at fair market value.

The whereabouts of many of the paintings and stolen objects are unknown.

Atsus helped plan the crimes and drove his conspirators to the museums, where they would steal the items, according to prosecutors. They said he acted as the driver for the thefts from Keystone College, the Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey, the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey, Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey, and the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.

Prosecutors recommended Atsus be sentenced to 97 months in prison, stating that he spent “a large portion” of his adult life involved in the 20-year-long conspiracy to steal priceless objects of cultural heritage, destroy or conceal them, and sell them for cash.

“The defendant’s prolonged and wanton criminal conduct demonstrates a need for a lengthy term of incarceration,” U.S. Attorney Brian Miller wrote in the sentencing memorandum. “His actions have not only caused financial hardship for the victims in this case, but his targeting of objects of cultural heritage have robbed current and future generations of the enjoyment of those priceless objects.”

Atsus said in a letter to the judge prior to his sentencing he was raised with integrity and respect for others. Atsus also wrote that he takes pride in “working honestly and contributing positively to my community” and has no prior criminal record.

“This experience has had significant consequences beyond the courtroom, including the loss of long-term employment, financial stability, insurance coverage, and professional relationships,” Atsus said in the letter. “These losses have been deeply humbling and have caused me to reflect seriously on my actions and the decisions that led me here.”

He also wrote that he has a son with special needs, and the son relies on structure, stability and routine. Atsus said he strives to be present and supportive of his son daily.

“While parenting is challenging, I love my son unconditionally and remain fully committed to his well-being,” Atsus said in the letter.

A jury found Atsus and two of his co-conspirators — Dombek, of Thornhurst Twp., and Damien Boland, of Covington Twp. — guilty of conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork and other charges early last year. Mannion sentenced Boland to nine years in prison late last year; Dombek awaits sentencing.

Four other co-conspirators pleaded guilty and were sentenced by Mannion last year:

• Thomas Trotta, of Dunmore, received eight years’ imprisonment for theft of major artwork.

• Dawn Trotta, Thomas Trotta’s sister, also of Dunmore, received 15 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property.

• Frank Tassiello, of Taylor, received six months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property.

• Ralph Parry, of Spring Brook Twp., received three years of probation and a period of home confinement for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, and interstate transportation of stolen property.

A jury found Atsus’ brother, Alfred Atsus, also of Covington Twp., not guilty on all counts. A ninth man, Daryl Rinker, of Thornhurst Twp., pleaded guilty but died in 2024. Parry, Tassiello and the Trottas pleaded guilty and cooperated with the government in their investigation.