A California man has admitted to stealing a 17th century gold bar worth $550,000 from a Key West museum eight years ago.
Richard Steven Johnson, 41, of Rio Linda, pleaded guilty on Friday at U.S. District Court in Key West to two felony counts related to the theft. His plea was in exchange for a lighter sentence, which wasn't defined.
Johnson agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as they pursue a second suspect, Jarred Goldman, who awaits trial. His sentencing date hasn't been set.
The two were charged with theft of major artwork and conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States after they allegedly swiped the gold bar in 2010 from the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, 200 Greene St.
The bar was never recovered.
Read more at our news partner, the Miami Herald.
