[MSN] Alamogordo man sentenced to six years in museum theft.

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Alamogordo man sentenced to six years in museum theft
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 01/15/2008 10:12:15 AM MST


ALAMOGORDO, N.M.-An Alamogordo man who pleaded guilty to taking more than
$8,000 from the gift shop at the International Space Hall of Fame has been
sentenced to six years in prison. 

Anthony Wilson, who was sentenced Monday, entered his pleas in September to
five felony counts of embezzlement and five misdemeanor counts of
embezzlement. 

He originally was charged with five counts of felony embezzlement and 28
counts of misdemeanor embezzlement after being accused of stealing up to
$16,000 from the gift shop where he was manager from 2003 to 2006. Officials
said the funds belonged to the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation. 

State District Judge Frank Wilson sentenced him to the maximum of 12 years
in prison, then suspended half the sentence and ordered five years of
probation after the prison term. He also ordered Anthony Wilson to pay
restitution. 

Anthony Wilson, 49, asked for probation rather than a prison sentence so he
could begin repaying the money. However, an attorney for the state, Wayne
Jordan, asked that he be held accountable. 

"I feel the sentence was reasonable," said Rick Berry, chairman of the
International Space Hall of Fame Foundation. "We were not out for vengeance.
We 
were just hoping that justice would be served." 
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