Two Arrested In Major Antiquities Theft

Richard Steven Johnson, 41, of Rio Linda, California, and Jarred Alexander Goldman, 32, of Palm Beach Gardens, were arrested today, after being charged with conspiring to steal and stealing a 17th century gold bar on or about August 18, 2010, from the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum in Key West. 

Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney, Southern District of Florida, Robert F. Lasky, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Donald J. Lee, Jr., Chief, Key West Police Department, made the announcement.

Johnson will make his initial appearance in Sacramento, California, later today.  Goldman will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow, in Key West, on January 30, 2018, at 9:30 a.m.

The defendants are accused of driving to Key West from West Palm Beach on or about August 18, 2010, and entering the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum.  It is alleged that Goldman then stood guard as a lookout to enable Johnson to steal the gold bar.  Johnson then allegedly removed the gold bar from its display case at the museum and both defendants then drove back to West Palm Beach.  The gold bar has not been recovered.

Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Key West Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Marcet.

An indictment is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.