Man Jailed For 10 Years For Refusing To Reveal Location Of “Ship Of Gold” Treasure May Soon Be Freed

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        <p>A former deep-sea treasure seeker and research expert, who has been incarcerated for a decade for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of 500 missing gold coins, may be nearing the possibility of freedom. Recently, a judge ruled to dismiss the civil charge against him, suggesting that further imprisonment might not encourage him to reveal the information sought.</p><br />
        <p>The saga dates back to 1857 when the SS Central America tragically sank during a fierce hurricane while transporting passengers from California to New York. The ship was carrying an astonishing 21 tons of gold, including nuggets and coins, earning it the moniker “Ship of Gold.” This treasure was originally intended to bolster the banks in New York, but its loss contributed significantly to the financial panic of that year.</p><br />
        <p>Fast forward to 1988, when a team led by research scientist Tommy Gregory Thompson successfully located the sunken treasure using advanced sonar technology, concluding a search that had spanned over a century. Among the recovered artifacts were 500 coins valued at approximately $2.5 million, which have been the source of Thompson's legal troubles since 2015.</p><br />
        <p>Thompson's insistence on keeping the coins' location a secret led to a civil contempt charge back in 2015, resulting in fines that accumulated to over $3 million. Although he has spent a decade behind bars, the judge's recent decision to dismiss the civil charge means Thompson is now only facing a two-year sentence linked to a related criminal contempt charge.</p><br />
        <p>Throughout his time in prison, Thompson has maintained his silence regarding the coins, asserting that they have been placed in a trust in Belize, although he has not elaborated on the specifics. The judge has expressed skepticism about whether additional time in prison would motivate Thompson to cooperate, leaving the timeline for his potential release uncertain.</p><br />
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