CAMDEN, N.J. - A Rock Hall, Maryland, man today admitted stealing at least 40 pieces of art and bringing them to New Jersey to sell them, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
William C. Reed III, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court to an information charging him with one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Starting in June 2013, Reed was employed as a caretaker for an individual in Rock Hall. Reed’s client was an art collector and dealer, who collected and maintained an eclectic collection of fine art by American and European artists. The collection included paintings, sculptures and etchings.
Between June 2014 and November 2014, Reed took various works of art from his client’s Rock Hall property without his permission and sold the art at various locations, including a pawn shop in Salem, New Jersey, and to an individual in Chestertown, Maryland.
The interstate transportation of stolen property charge to which Reed pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine. Reed=s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2017.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Harpster in Philadelphia, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. Fishman also thanked the Rock Hall Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steven W. Moore, for its assistance in this case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Richardson of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Camden.
Defense counsel: Lisa Lewis Esq., Camden