[MSN] Former space museum head gets three year for artifact theft

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

May. 15, 2006
Former space museum head gets three year for artifact theft
ROXANA HEGEMAN
Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. - The founder of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center was
sentenced Monday to three years in federal prison for the theft of artifacts
from the space museum.

U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten sentenced Max Ary to concurrent terms
of three years on each of 12 counts, including theft of government property,
wire and mail fraud, interstate transport of stolen goods and money
laundering. A jury convicted Ary in November.

"This is not a time for vengeance and retribution," Marten told Ary, 56. "It
is a time to account for what has been done, and answer for it."

The judge delayed a decision on the forfeiture counts against Ary until
after a hearing to determine how much he will have to forfeit. Ary will be
allowed to surrender voluntarily, so he remains free for now, and a decision
will be made at the forfeiture hearing on whether he can continue to be free
during an appeal. A date for the forfeiture hearing has not been set.

He will be on probation for three years after his release from prison.

Ary began his relationship with the space museum in Hutchinson in 1968 and
continued until he left in 2002 to become executive director of the Oklahoma
City Omniplex.

Before sentencing he said the Cosmosphere "really was my life" and that he
gave every ounce of his heart, soul and brain to his job there.

"What motivated me in my career has never been money, never been fame," he
said.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/14584577.htm