Joshua McCarty, 31, has been sentenced to three years and ten months in prison, plus three years of probation, for the theft of two rare law books from the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center (first noted here back in September). His partner in crime, 21-year old Zachary Scranton, will be sentenced on 11 May. Another associate originally arrested in the case, 19-year old Angela Bays, was not charged. Under the original charges filed, McCarty faced up to ten years in jail.
The two books, which have been in FBI custody since their recovery last fall, were returned to the Hayes Center on Wednesday. Fremont police detective Sean O'Connell called the case "definitely the most challenging investigation in my career," saying that investigators had almost nothing but vague descriptions (of the books and suspects)."
Blessedly, the Hayes Center now seems better equipped to make sure a theft like this doesn't happen again: "All library visitors must present a photo ID and complete a full visitor registry will their full name, address and phone number. Visitors have to put coats, briefcases, backpacks and other items on the coat rack or in lockers before going to the library reading room."
