Nicholas Dombek, a 55-year-old resident of Thornhurst Township, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 120 months in prison on February 10, 2026. The sentencing by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion also included supervised release and an order to pay $2,753,266.30 in restitution. Dombek was convicted for his role in a conspiracy involving the theft and disposal of major artwork and valuable memorabilia across several states.
A jury found Dombek guilty of eight counts after a nearly month-long trial earlier this year. The charges related to thefts that included high-value art pieces such as Andy Warhol’s “Le Grande Passion” and a painting purportedly by Jackson Pollock from the Everhart Museum in Scranton; championship boxing belts from the International Boxing Hall of Fame; trophies and awards from various sports museums; antique firearms; gold nuggets; gems; jewelry; coins; and other valuables from institutions in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Rhode Island.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Dombek acted as a leader within an eight-person group responsible for these crimes. Co-conspirators Damien Boland and Joseph Atsus were also convicted following the trial in 2025 and received sentences of 108 months and 48 months respectively. Additional members—Thomas Trotta, Dawn Trotta, Frank Tassiello, and Ralph Parry—pleaded guilty earlier in 2025 to related offenses with sentences ranging from probation to 96 months’ imprisonment.
Investigations revealed that stolen items were often brought back to Northeastern Pennsylvania where they were melted down into metal discs or bars before being sold for scrap value in the New York City area—a sum much less than their actual market worth.
Dombek destroyed some evidence during the investigation. He burnt “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Crospey (valued at approximately $125,000) to prevent its recovery by authorities. While some stolen objects remain missing, investigators have recovered certain antique firearms taken from museums in New Jersey.
Authorities stated that after police searched his residence in summer 2019, Dombek threatened co-conspirators who considered cooperating with law enforcement. Following his indictment in summer 2023, he fled FBI agents attempting arrest but later surrendered at Lackawanna County Jail on January 1, 2024.
Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia commented: "Investigating art crime demands skill and persistence as these cases often cross jurisdictions and may span many years... This sentence sends a clear message: those who steal art or cultural property will be held accountable. Working across our local, state, federal law enforcement partnerships, alongside cultural institutions which play a critical role in these investigations, the FBI will continue to diligently investigate these crimes, identify offenders, recover stolen works, and ensure those responsible face justice."
The case involved cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), state police departments across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York as well as local police departments from affected regions.
