ex-mailman gets 3 years in prison for stealing pricey coins
Michigan
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By SEAN O'SULLIVAN, The News Journal
Posted Friday, November 3, 2006
WILMINGTON -- If Ernest Wilson still has a rare gold coin -- as a judge, jury and prosecutor believe -- he was willing to give up three years of his life to keep it.
On Thursday, Wilson, a former postal carrier, was ordered to prison for three years by a federal judge for taking it and several others from the mail.
District Judge Joseph J. Farnan Jr. also ordered Wilson to pay $270,000 restitution and serve 350 hours community service when he gets out.
The coin, one of only five to seven of similar quality, disappeared in July 2005 when it was mailed to a rare coin broker on North Market Street in Wilmington.
The business was on Wilson's postal route and several weeks after it disappeared, Wilson turned up with it at a farmers market in Pennsylvania looking to sell it along with several other coins that disappeared from mail on his route.
The dealer recognized the 1907 "rolled-edge" Indian head $10 piece as stolen and called police. And while Wilson was apprehended and most of the stolen coins were recovered, the Indian coin that is worth $265,000 to $275,000, was not. Police even took Wilson for X-rays to see if he swallowed it.
At a trial in July, Wilson said the dealer kept it. He also said he did not "knowingly" take it and several others from the mail, though he did not say how he got them.
The jury found him guilty.
On Thursday, defense attorney Michael Malloy said his client does not know where the coin is.
Malloy said he told Wilson, repeatedly, that if the coin were to be returned even at this late date, "We would not be standing here."
When Wilson, 39, of Wilmington, addressed Farnan, he offered no explanation for his actions or clues to the coin's whereabouts.
Instead, he thanked God for the support of his family and said this trying time has shown him who his true friends are.
The closest he came to an admission was when he said he told his son, "Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes you have to bite the bullet."
This despite a parade of family and friends who told Farnan that Wilson was a good person who helped his community and was a mentor to children.
"I'm begging you to please leave him out. Have mercy on my child," said Wilson's mother, Rosa Cannon.
Citing the family's testimony and the fact the crime was not violent, Farnan said he was looking for an excuse to be lenient. But he said Wilson didn't provide him any help.
So, the judge said he had no choice but to sentence Wilson to 36 months behind bars to make clear to him the seriousness of his crime. When he gets out, Wilson will have to begin making payments of $300 a month on the restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Hall said he believes Wilson has the coin or knows where it is and expects to profit from it, perhaps after he serves his sentence. Malloy said he believes the coin will never be recovered.
Hall, however, said it might yet turn up. "We'll keep working on it."
Posted Friday, November 3, 2006
WILMINGTON -- If Ernest Wilson still has a rare gold coin -- as a judge, jury and prosecutor believe -- he was willing to give up three years of his life to keep it.
On Thursday, Wilson, a former postal carrier, was ordered to prison for three years by a federal judge for taking it and several others from the mail.
District Judge Joseph J. Farnan Jr. also ordered Wilson to pay $270,000 restitution and serve 350 hours community service when he gets out.
The coin, one of only five to seven of similar quality, disappeared in July 2005 when it was mailed to a rare coin broker on North Market Street in Wilmington.
The business was on Wilson's postal route and several weeks after it disappeared, Wilson turned up with it at a farmers market in Pennsylvania looking to sell it along with several other coins that disappeared from mail on his route.
The dealer recognized the 1907 "rolled-edge" Indian head $10 piece as stolen and called police. And while Wilson was apprehended and most of the stolen coins were recovered, the Indian coin that is worth $265,000 to $275,000, was not. Police even took Wilson for X-rays to see if he swallowed it.
At a trial in July, Wilson said the dealer kept it. He also said he did not "knowingly" take it and several others from the mail, though he did not say how he got them.
The jury found him guilty.
On Thursday, defense attorney Michael Malloy said his client does not know where the coin is.
Malloy said he told Wilson, repeatedly, that if the coin were to be returned even at this late date, "We would not be standing here."
When Wilson, 39, of Wilmington, addressed Farnan, he offered no explanation for his actions or clues to the coin's whereabouts.
Instead, he thanked God for the support of his family and said this trying time has shown him who his true friends are.
The closest he came to an admission was when he said he told his son, "Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes you have to bite the bullet."
This despite a parade of family and friends who told Farnan that Wilson was a good person who helped his community and was a mentor to children.
"I'm begging you to please leave him out. Have mercy on my child," said Wilson's mother, Rosa Cannon.
Citing the family's testimony and the fact the crime was not violent, Farnan said he was looking for an excuse to be lenient. But he said Wilson didn't provide him any help.
So, the judge said he had no choice but to sentence Wilson to 36 months behind bars to make clear to him the seriousness of his crime. When he gets out, Wilson will have to begin making payments of $300 a month on the restitution.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Hall said he believes Wilson has the coin or knows where it is and expects to profit from it, perhaps after he serves his sentence. Malloy said he believes the coin will never be recovered.
Hall, however, said it might yet turn up. "We'll keep working on it."
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-Amanda
I'm a YN working on a type set!
My Buffalo Nickel Website Home of the Quirky Buffaloes Collection!
Proud member of the CUFYNA
I know people that are doing 5-10 in a pound you in the arsh state pen for stealing $100 pickup trucks.
$270,000 restitution @ $300 month=75 years. Good Lord, that's one L of an approval plan to buy a coin on.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>Every time I see Brett Favre on TV, I expect him to deliver bad numismatic news. >>
Lets hope the bad news doesn't spill over on the playing field, however the Packers aren't doing so good this year so
maybe there is a connection.....
<< <i>3 years for stealing a $250,000 coin??
I know people that are doing 5-10 in a pound you in the arsh state pen for stealing $100 pickup trucks.
$270,000 restitution @ $300 month=75 years. Good Lord, that's one L of an approval plan to buy a coin on. >>
That's what I was thinking.
<< <i>"I'm begging you to please leave him out. Have mercy on my child," said Wilson's mother, Rosa Cannon >>
<< <i>Farnan said he was looking for an excuse to be lenient. >>
75 years to repay $270,000 and only 36 mos. in prison sure seems 'lenient' to me.
Lincoln set Colorless Set
say things like "He's a good person/He's a good father", etc.
just makes me laugh.
I've yet to ever see a murderer/child molester/'s close
family EVER say "Yea, we knew he'd kill someone someday".
Everyone is "great" till they commit the crime.
A postal worker is nappin' in his mail truck.
A jeanie appears, nudges him out of his slumber and grants him three wishes.
Wish one : " I wish I was on a tropical beach" .... Voila ! There he was on a tropical beach.
Wish two: " I wish I was surrounded by beautiful women in grass skirts"..... Voila, there they were.
by now he was in paradise....
Wish three: " I wish I never had to work again".... Voila ! There he was , back in his mail truck, snoring "
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
added by poster:
COPYRIGHT © 1997, 2003 BY SCOTT A. TRAVERS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
I wasn't aware it was the PRICE specimen that was stolen.
This coin was shipped via registered mail from dealer to dealer and was underinsured by the shipper resulting in a battle between two large coin dealers as to who should accept responsibility for the loss.
Would this make a good movie?
$20 Saint Gaudens Registry Set
<< <i>Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Hall said he believes Wilson has the coin or knows where it is and expects to profit from it, perhaps after he serves his sentence. Malloy said he believes the coin will never be recovered. >>
Assistant U.S. Attorney, David L. Hall a relative of PCGS's David Hall?
Does not sounds like the Judge had much choice to do anything else? More years in jail means less restitution?
This has got to bring the safety averages down for USPS's registered mail?
Selling stolen goods will be a new charge. Also a violation of his parole or probation.
No double jeopardy/different circumstances i.e.; a totally different coin
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
coin was just ditched somewhere it is probably gone for good.
San Diego, CA
<< <i>Every time I see Brett Favre on TV, I expect him to deliver bad numismatic news. >>
I almost spitup on my keyboard. Now that's funny.
He should have taken a trip to Europe or Asia and unloaded it there. Unencapsulated its a tough case to prove.
<< <i>
<< <i>"I'm begging you to please leave him out. Have mercy on my child," said Wilson's mother, Rosa Cannon >>
<< <i>Farnan said he was looking for an excuse to be lenient. >>
75 years to repay $270,000 and only 36 mos. in prison sure seems 'lenient' to me. >>
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Anyway, selling a coin like that for anything approaching market value is going to be nearly impossible. He'll be lucky to get a fraction of what it's worth.
Even though the "signature was a perfect duplicate"-----I knew it was a fake--remembering that the last time the guy was here, he demanded I sign my full middle name, Something I've done once in years.
I'm very happy they are cracking down on this crud---I couldn't believe it but Heritage put the "screws to FedEX" and the coin showed up--registered(!), 3 months later. I thought it was a goner, but I guess this guy tried this BS more than once. Restitution is better than 3 years I hear!!!
<< <i>Listening to any criminal's Mother/Family/friends
say things like "He's a good person/He's a good father", etc.
just makes me laugh.
I've yet to ever see a murderer/child molester/'s close
family EVER say "Yea, we knew he'd kill someone someday".
Everyone is "great" till they commit the crime. >>
Right On Fred!
The name is LEE!
<< <i>They should have taken away his house and everything he owns as a down payment on the debt. There should be interest attached to the balance just like a mortgage with a timely payment schedule. He should forfeit his post office retirement (which he probably is still vested in) and let that pay down the debt also. There is something terribly wrong with the justice system in this country. >>
Yea, verily.
When the heat is turned up that high, the chances of his memory clearing improves. "Oh wait-- I remember where it is now!"
Obscurum per obscurius
U.S. Type Set
<< <i>They should have taken away his house and everything he owns as a down payment on the debt. There should be interest attached to the balance just like a mortgage with a timely payment schedule. He should forfeit his post office retirement (which he probably is still vested in) and let that pay down the debt also. There is something terribly wrong with the justice system in this country. >>
Sure, because it's not like his wife or kids live there or use the stuff.
Anyway, after his wife Consuela bailed him out, he probably took the coin to Mexico and sold it on the black market. I'm sure it's long gone.
The right to reclaim the stolen coin will be governed by the law of finders. Once it has gone throught the hands of a coin dealer, I suspect replevin will not be available against a bona fide purchaser. The only recourse would be an action in trover for money damages (minus the insurance benefit) against the mailman, the dealer, and anyone between the two.
<< <i>
<< <i>They should have taken away his house and everything he owns as a down payment on the debt. There should be interest attached to the balance just like a mortgage with a timely payment schedule. He should forfeit his post office retirement (which he probably is still vested in) and let that pay down the debt also. There is something terribly wrong with the justice system in this country. >>
Sure, because it's not like his wife or kids live there or use the stuff.
Anyway, after his wife Consuela bailed him out, he probably took the coin to Mexico and sold it on the black market. I'm sure it's long gone. >>
If our laws were that way(or to a degree-how about if the law takes half of his assets), then maybe he might have thought about his wife and kids and the consequences, before commiting his unlawful acts.
<< <i>I'm just interested in knowing who gets stuck with the loss--the seller, the buyer, or the post office. I'm sure the insurance will pay off, but surely there is a limit on the amount. >>
They said it was sent registered mail. If they didn't have third party private insurance on the shipment then the maximum the postal insurance will pay is $25,000 no matter what they actually insured it for. They also said that the shipper underinsured it so he probably didn't have third party. So I would think that Postal insurance is $25K and the shipper is on the hook for the rest and he would be the one entitled to the restitutiion. (When he shipped it without proper insurance he assumed the risk. As has been discussed on here before it is the sellers responsibility to get the purchase to the buyer and the insurance is to protect the shipper not the receiver. The seller didn't protect himself.)
Whatever happened to the old coin-dealer chestnut:
We offer easy terms. 100% down, no payments.