First of Gen Con Heist Crew Sentenced After Plea Agreement

The aftermath of the brazen $300,000 Magic: The Gathering card heist at Gen Con 2023 continues to unfold, with one of the two men accused of the theft recently being sentenced under a plea agreement. This marks a significant development in the case that captivated the tabletop gaming community.

Thomas J. Dunbar, of New York City, who along with Andrew Giaume was arrested and charged in connection with the theft from the vendor storage area at the Indianapolis Convention Center, has had his felony charges reduced. Dunbar pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a sentence of two years of probation. This probation will be served in New York.

As part of his sentencing, Dunbar has been ordered to pay restitution, jointly with his co-defendant, amounting to $542 to Alan Hochman (Pastimes) and $27,141 to Wizards of the Coast. This financial penalty addresses the losses incurred by the affected parties.

Beyond the monetary restitution, Dunbar faces additional requirements aimed at acknowledging his actions and contributing to the community. He has been ordered to write an apology letter to the Gen Con community, and to complete a total of 40 hours of community service – 10 hours in Indiana and 30 hours in New York. Furthermore, Dunbar will be barred from entering the Indianapolis Convention Center for two years.

The Magic: The Gathering cards that were recovered in New York following the heist will be returned to Wizards of the Coast, the creators of the popular trading card game.

Meanwhile, Andrew Giaume, Dunbar’s co-defendant, remains under felony indictment. The legal proceedings for Giaume are ongoing, and his trial is reportedly scheduled to begin in July 2025.

The theft of such a significant quantity of valuable trading cards sent shockwaves through the Gen Con community and the wider tabletop gaming world. This sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences for such actions and brings some closure for those impacted by the incident.