Rare-Book Thief Fined,
Sentenced to Prison
A man who stole more than 80 rare books about the Old West and Native Americans from several U.S. universities was sentenced November 29 to 18 months in prison and was also ordered to pay $2,300 to schools whose books have not been recovered.
Ross Vince Brewer, 34, was apprehended in December 2000, two months after he stole a three-volume collection of lithographs worth $50,000 from the Centre College library in Danville, Kentucky, the November 30 Lexington Herald-Leader reported.
In July, Brewer pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen goods. While many of the stolen books have since been returned, others remain in FBI custody. Many of those lack evidence indicating what library they belong to, since Brewer removed all stamps and other identifying marks.
At the sentencing, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Karl S. Forester told Brewer, “I suppose when they write the history of the world this won’t go down as one of the 10 greatest crimes. But it is important that these books remain in the public . . . not some rich person’s residence.”
Posted December 10, 2001.
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