SCRANTON, PA — A 51-year-old Lackawanna County man was sentenced Tuesday to four years in federal prison for his role in a prolific, two-decade-long conspiracy that targeted museums and cultural institutions across the eastern United States. Joseph Atsus, of Covington Township, was also ordered by Senior U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to pay more than $1 million in restitution for his involvement in the theft and destruction of priceless historical artifacts.
Atsus was a key member of a nine-person ring that specialized in high-profile burglaries of sports memorabilia and fine art. According to trial testimony, Atsus often served as a lookout or getaway driver while other members of the group, including ringleader Thomas Trotta, broke into venues like the Everhart Museum in Scranton. In 2005, the group stole two iconic paintings from the Everhart: Andy Warhol’s "Le Grande Passion" and a work attributed to Jackson Pollock titled "Springs Winter." While the Warhol was valued at approximately $125,000, the Pollock canvas—though its authenticity has been debated—had an estimated value in the millions.
The conspiracy extended far beyond Northeast Pennsylvania, with the group targeting 20 different locations over 20 years. Other stolen items included several of Yogi Berra’s World Series rings, the Hickok Belt awarded to Roger Maris, and historic firearms from museums in New Jersey. Prosecutors revealed a grim fate for many of the stolen items; while paintings were often hidden or destroyed to avoid detection, most of the sports memorabilia and trophies were melted down into metal bars and sold for a fraction of their historical value.
During the sentencing, the judge noted that while Atsus had lived a seemingly exemplary life as a long-time warehouse worker and devoted father, his "two faces" allowed him to participate in a criminal enterprise that caused "irreparable cultural harm." Atsus is the sixth member of the ring to be sentenced since the group was indicted in 2023. He has been ordered to report to prison by February 13, 2026, where he will begin his 48-month term followed by three years of supervised release.