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 Kansas’ 18th judicial district 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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According to the Associated Press, League 42 — a nonprofit that aims to introduce baseball to the youth of Wichita — paid about $50,000 for the sculpture. It was installed in 2021.
Robinson wore number 42 throughout his storied career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1947, he broke baseball’s color barrier, becoming the first Black player for an American or National League team since the 19th century. League 42 took its name from Robinson’s number, and the MLB has dedicated every April 15 since 2004 as a day when each uniformed player and coach wears Robinson’s number 42.
Read more: Why Every MLB Player is Wearing Number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day Monday
Given his historical importance in baseball and in the Civil Rights movement at large, it’s no surprise the case of the Robinson statue theft garnered national attention.
“The Jackie Robinson statue is a cherished symbol of inspiration, not only for the youth who benefit from the many programs offered by League 42, but also for the entire community of Wichita,” Chief Joe Sullivan said in a statement from the Wichita Police Department, reported by the Associated Press. “The sentencing of Ricky Alderete represents an important step in ensuring that our community receives the justice that it deserves.”
The AP reported that fundraising efforts in the Wichita community and beyond helped raise nearly $200,000 to replace the statue. It was rebuilt at an art foundry in Colorado where the original was created.
It’s possible Alderete will not be the last person sentenced in the case. According to the AP report,
Surveillance video showed at least two other people present when the statue was cut from its stand, leaving the bronze replicas of Robinson’s cleats behind. Parts of the statue were later found, charred from a fire, in another park seven miles away. Police have maintained they don’t believe the crime to be racially motivated but instead “by the financial gain of scrapping common metal.”
League 42 will unveil its new Robinson statue at McAdams Park on Monday, with help from the MLB and the Wichita community.