https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Gregory_Thompson

Tommy Gregory Thompson is an American treasure hunter known for his leading role in the discovery of the wreck of the SS Central America on September 11, 1988.[4] He is also the author of a book about the discovery, America's Lost Treasure, published in 1998,[5] and is a main character in the best-selling 1998 non-fiction book Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea by Gary Kinder.

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In April 2015, Thompson pled guilty for failure to appear for an earlier case and was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of $250,000.[13] The plea bargain included a requirement for Thompson to answer questions about the whereabouts of 500 gold coins, which he has refused to do, claiming he suffers from short-term memory loss and has forgotten their location.[13] Since December 2015, he has been jailed indefinitely on charges of contempt of court until he cooperates.[13]

On December 19, 2020, The New York Times, and several other publications, published retrospective articles to mark the fifth anniversary of his conviction.[14] Steven Tigges, the lawyer for one of the investors who sued Thompson, said he could expect release as soon as he handed over the missing funds. As of August 2024, he was still in jail.