A new sentencing date has been set for John Rogers, the former sports memorabilia dealer and photo archivist accused of fraud. That’s the good news for the Arkansas man who has already pleaded guilty in a bizarre and long-running case involving fake memorabilia he’s accused of creating. The bad news? New accusations have landed him in jail.
Rogers was supposed to be sentenced Monday. However, after government attorneys unleashed some new allegations in a pre-sentence memorandum in federal court, Rogers’ attorney asked for a delay. That’s been granted and the new sentencing date is December 20.
His arrest was ordered by U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin after the FBI says Rogers continued his crimes even after he pleaded guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Owens told a federal court Monday that Rogers recently tried to forge several items including a Mickey Mantle 1956 Triple Crown trophy and a football from Super Bowl I, getting help from a woman who he had been living with. After accusing Rogers of abuse, she then contacted law enforcement and detailed the new allegations.
Rogers’ father was in the courtroom Monday and said his son needed help with alcohol and drug addiction.
Federal prosecutors are asking for an 11 1/2 year prison sentence for Rogers. You can learn more on the latest developments in the Chicago Tribune and via WBBM.
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A Wisconsin man who told police six years ago that someone broke into his house and stole numerous autographed jerseys and other items worth $100,000, is now accused of lying about it.
According to a local newspaper story, Kurt A. Gray, 55, is charged with attempted felony theft, filing a false claim and swearing a false statement. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 14 1/2 years in prison.
Gray told police in 2011 his home had been broken into and ransacked with the thieves stealing four signed Brett Favre jerseys, a signed football, a signed Mickey Mantle baseball given to him by his grandfather, jewelry and other items. Court documents indicate Gray’s wife found the items inside the home a couple of years later as she was preparing to move out.
Investigators tell the Wausau Daily Herald they discovered that filing claims for stolen sports memorabilia has been a habit of Gray’s since the 1980s.
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Among the segments on Pawn Stars this season—a signed Kobe Bryant shooting shirt from his last trip to the Finals.
Dan Wulkan of Memory Lane is called in to take a look.
FYI… A couple of weeks after that 2010 series ended, NBA Auctions sold two Bryant game jerseys. His Game 1 shirt went for just under $30,000 while the Game 3 model went for a little over $20,000.
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Second Former Business Partner Suing Rogers
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“Pawn Stars” Casting Crew Seeking Sports Items At June Long Beach Expo
