After years of court battles, a former Columbus resident and Batelle scientist turned treasure hunter has been sentenced to prison.
Tuesday brought two sentences for Tommy Thompson. He was sentenced to two years in prison for criminal compete of court for disappearing during a civil case with fighting investors and coworkers over millions of dollars in gold found in a shipwreck in 1988.
He was also ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution and perform community service.
Federal Judge Algenon Marbley also sentenced Thompson to an indefinite sentence for violating his plea agreement and not disclosing the location of 500 gold coins estimated to be worth up to $10 million. Thompson repeatedly told the court he couldn’t remember the location because of a medical condition. Marbley said he didn’t buy Thompson’s "selective amnesia" and ordered Thompson to remain in the Delaware County Jail until he complies with the plea agreement.
He also ordered him pay a fine of $1000 for every day he’s in jail.
