According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment and particulars accuse the nine individuals of conspiring over two decades to break into museums and institutions to steal priceless works of art, sports memorabilia, and other objects.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reported that Dawn Trotta, 52, from Covington Township, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to several federal charges. These include conspiracy to steal major artwork, hide or dispose of cultural heritage objects, and transport stolen property across state lines.
Trotta confessed in court on February 9, 2024, before the Honorable District Judge Malachy E. Mannion. She admitted to conspiring with others between approximately August 1999 and April 2019 in Pennsylvania and elsewhere to steal significant artwork and cultural heritage objects and transport them across state lines.
Eight other individuals have been implicated in the same conspiracy. Thomas Trotta, 48, from Moscow, Pennsylvania; Frank Tassiello, 51, from Scranton, Pennsylvania; Daryl Rinker, 50, from Thornhurst, Pennsylvania; and Ralph Parry, 45, from Covington Township, Pennsylvania, were all charged by felony information and have already pleaded guilty.
On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Nicholas Dombek, 53, from Thornhurst, Pennsylvania; Damien Boland, 47, from Moscow, Pennsylvania; Alfred Atsus, 47, from Covington Township, Pennsylvania; and Joseph Atsus, 49, from Roaring Brook, Pennsylvania. They were charged with conspiracy and various counts of theft of major artwork, concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage, and interstate transportation of stolen property. Dombek also faces a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property. These individuals are awaiting trial.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment and evidence accuse the nine individuals of conspiring over two decades to break into museums and institutions to steal priceless works of art, sports memorabilia, and other objects. Some of the stolen items include:
- A Christy Matthewson jersey and two contracts signed by Matthewson, stolen in 1999 from Keystone College in Factoryville, Pennsylvania.
- "Le Grande Passion" by Andy Warhol and "Springs Winter," stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- Nine World Series rings, seven other championship rings, and two MVP plaques, all belonging to Yogi Berra, worth over $1,000,000, stolen in 2014 from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in Little Falls, New Jersey.
- Six championship belts, including four belonging to Carmen Basillio and two belonging to Tony Zale, stolen in 2015 from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
- The Hickok Belt and MVP Trophy belonging to Roger Maris, stolen in 2016 from the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo, North Dakota.
- The U.S. Amateur Trophy and a Hickok Belt awarded to Ben Hogan, stolen in 2012 from the USGA Golf Museum & Library.
- Fourteen trophies and other awards worth over $300,000, stolen in 2012 from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.
- Five trophies worth over $400,000, including the 1903 Belmont Stakes Trophy, stolen in 2013 from the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.
- Eleven trophies, including four belonging to Art Wall, Jr., stolen in 2011 from the Scranton Country Club located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
- Three antique firearms worth a combined $1,000,000, stolen in 2006 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey.
- An 1903/1904 Tiffany Lamp stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- "Upper Hudson" by Jasper Crospey, worth approximately $500,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey.
- Two antique firearms worth over $300,000, stolen in 2011 from Ringwood Manor in Ringwood, New Jersey.
- $400,000 worth of gold nuggets stolen in 2011 from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey.
- Various gems, minerals, and other items stolen in 2017 from the Franklin Mineral Museum in Franklin, New Jersey.
- An antique shotgun worth over $30,000, stolen in 2018 from Space Farms: Zoo & Museum in Wantage, New Jersey.
- Various jewelry, rings, and other items from various antique and jewelry stores in New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.
The indictment and particulars also allege that after stealing the items, the conspirators would transport them back to northeastern Pennsylvania, often to Dombek's residence, and melt them down into easily transportable metal discs or bars. They would then sell the raw metal to fences in the New York City area for much less than the stolen items' fair market value.
The indictment and particulars further allege that Dombek burned the painting "Upper Hudson" by Jasper Crospey, valued at approximately $500,000, to prevent its recovery by investigators and its use as evidence against the conspiracy members. The whereabouts of many other paintings and stolen objects are currently unknown.
The investigation involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, the New Jersey State Police, the New York State Police, and many others. Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing for Dawn Trotta has not yet been scheduled. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, supervised release, and a fine. The Judge will consider various factors, including the nature of the offense and the defendant's history, when determining the sentence.
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