Joseph Atsus, a 51-year-old Pennsylvania resident, received a four-year federal prison sentence on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Scranton for participating in a long-running museum theft operation. Senior U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion imposed the sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Joseph Atsus, 51, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in a museum theft ring active from 1999 to 2019.
- The ring stole art and memorabilia from 20 museums across six states and Washington, D.C., including works by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock and items belonging to Yogi Berra.
- The court reduced the sentence after hearing details about Atsus’ 11-year-old autistic son and his care needs.
Charges, Penalties, and Court Orders
Atsus was convicted last year on conspiracy charges, along with theft and the concealment or disposal of major artwork. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed he was sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of federal supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,071,150 in restitution and a $400 special assessment.
The court directed Atsus to report to prison by February 13. Judge Mannion said he would recommend incarceration at the federal prison in Lewisburg so Atsus could remain close to his family…