Evergreen Reporter

Three individuals have been found guilty in a significant museum heist case. Nicholas Dombek, Damien Boland, and Joseph Atsus were convicted on February 7, 2025, for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork and related offenses. The verdict was delivered after a four-week jury trial overseen by United States District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion.

Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the three men were part of a larger nine-person conspiracy that spanned over two decades. Their criminal activities involved breaking into museums and other institutions to steal valuable art pieces, sports memorabilia, and various objects.

The stolen items included an array of valuable artifacts such as a Christy Matthewson jersey from Keystone College in Pennsylvania, paintings by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock from the Everhart Museum in Scranton, World Series rings belonging to Yogi Berra from the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center in New Jersey, championship belts from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York, and many more items across several states.

Five additional conspirators have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Former co-defendant Alfred Atsus was acquitted of all charges during the trial.

The group transported stolen goods back to northeastern Pennsylvania where they would melt down memorabilia into metal discs or bars for easier transport. These metals were then sold in New York City at prices much lower than their market value.

Dombek notably destroyed "Upper Hudson" by Jasper Cropsey to prevent its recovery by investigators. Although some stolen antique firearms have been recovered, many other artworks remain missing.

The investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI and police departments across several states. Assistant United States Attorneys James M. Buchanan, Jenny Roberts, and Sean Camoni prosecuted the case.

Sentencing for Dombek, Boland, and Atsus has not yet been scheduled. They face potential penalties including up to five years' imprisonment for conspiracy and ten years for each additional conviction count.