A man who stole a statue of Jackie Robinson from a Wichita, Kansas, park in January has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Ricky Alderete, 45, pleaded guilty to multiple charges – aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property and theft – during a court appearance in May.
On Friday, Judge Tyler Roush of the 18th Judicial District of Kansas told Alderete the maximum sentence is 229 months (more than 19 years) in prison and six months in jail, according to an ABC News report. Judge Roush also said he could order Alderete to pay $41,500 to League 42.
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League 42, a nonprofit that aims to introduce baseball to Wichita youth, paid about $50,000 for the sculpture, according to the Associated Press. It was installed in 2021.
Robinson wore No. 42 throughout his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1947, he broke baseball’s racial barrier, becoming the first black player to play in the American or National Leagues since the 19th century. The 42 League is named after Robinson’s number, and MLB has designated April 15 since 2004 as a day when every player and manager in uniform wears Robinson’s No. 42.
Learn more: Why Every MLB Player Wears Number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day Monday
Given its historical significance in baseball and the civil rights movement in general, it is not surprising that the Robinson statue theft case has garnered national attention.
“The Jackie Robinson statue is a valuable symbol of inspiration, not only for the youth who benefit from the many programs offered by League 42, but for the entire Wichita community,” Chief Joe Sullivan said in a statement from the Wichita Police Department, reported by The Associated Press. “Ricky Alderete’s conviction is an important step toward ensuring our community receives the justice it deserves.”
The AP reported that fundraising efforts in the Wichita community and beyond raised nearly $200,000 to replace the statue. It was rebuilt at a Colorado art foundry where the original was created.
Alderete may not be the last person convicted in the case. According to the AP report,
Surveillance video showed that at least two other people were present when the statue was removed from its stand, leaving behind bronze replicas of Robinson’s cleats. Parts of the statue were later found, burned in a fire, in another park seven miles away. Police said they did not believe the crime was racially motivated, but rather “the financial gain from scrapping base metals.”
League 42 will unveil its new Robinson statue at McAdams Park on Monday, with help from MLB and the Wichita community.
