Man Pleads Guilty in Ruby Slippers Heist from “The Wizard of Oz” Museum
A man charged in the infamous museum heist of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” pleaded guilty on Friday, shedding light on a mystery that has spanned nearly two decades. Terry Jon Martin, 76, admitted to stealing the iconic shoes from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005 and later disposing of them when he discovered they were not made with real rubies. The slippers were recovered by the FBI in 2018.
A pair of ruby slippers once worn by actress Judy Garland in the “The Wizard of Oz” sit on display at a news conference at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn., on Sept. 4, 2018. (Jeff Baenen/AP Photo)
During his court hearing, Martin revealed that he used a hammer to break into the museum and steal the slippers. His motive was to sell the supposed ruby-encrusted shoes for a hefty sum. However, when he learned that the rubies were actually glass, he got rid of the slippers, leaving their whereabouts unknown for years.
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According to Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, his client has no knowledge of how the slippers were eventually recovered. Due to Martin’s advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and deteriorating health, his legal team and federal prosecutor Matt Greenley recommended that he not be sentenced to prison. The proposed sentence would allow Martin to spend his remaining days at home.
While awaiting sentencing, Martin, who has a prior conviction for receiving stolen goods, was released on his own recognizance. The judge emphasized that he is not bound by the recommended sentence and will consider the nonbinding federal guidelines, which suggest a prison term of eight to ten years for similar cases.
The stolen ruby slippers, one of only four authentic pairs known to exist, were insured for $1 million but are estimated to be worth around $3.5 million. The FBI recovered the slippers during an undercover operation in Minneapolis, but the details of their retrieval remain undisclosed.
The Judy Garland Museum, located in the house where she once lived, boasts the world’s largest collection of Garland and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia.
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Martin’s admission brings an end to a case that has captivated the nation and sparked numerous theories about the whereabouts of the stolen slippers. The ruby slippers, which were worn by Garland in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” have become one of the most iconic items in movie history, making their theft a significant loss to the film industry and the Judy Garland Museum.
The stolen slippers were one of several pairs used during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz” and were donated to the museum by a wealthy collector in 1970. They were valued at approximately $2 million, making them a highly sought-after item for collectors and fans of the classic film.
After their theft in 2005, the slippers remained missing for over a decade, intensifying speculation about their whereabouts. The FBI launched an investigation into the case and offered a $1 million reward for information leading to their recovery. In 2017, the agency received a tip from an individual who claimed to have information about the stolen slippers. This tip ultimately led to their discovery.
Upon recovering the slippers in 2018, the FBI confirmed their authenticity and informed the public of their retrieval at a press conference. The agency declined to release specific details about how they located the stolen shoes, citing ongoing investigative work and the need to preserve evidence for potential prosecutions.
Now, with Martin’s guilty plea, the details surrounding the theft have emerged. Martin stated that he had broken into the Judy Garland Museum with the intention of stealing the ruby slippers. He used a hammer to smash the display case and took the shoes, believing they were adorned with valuable rubies. However, when he discovered that the stones were actually glass, he disposed of the slippers to eliminate any evidence of the crime.
Martin now faces up to 15 months in prison for his role in the heist. The plea agreement requires him to pay restitution to the museum in an amount to be determined at a later date. He will also be subject to supervised release and must cooperate with any ongoing investigations related to the case.
For the Judy Garland Museum and fans of “The Wizard of Oz,” the recovery of these iconic slippers brings closure to a painful chapter in the history of the film. The museum plans to display the slippers once again, allowing visitors to appreciate their historical and cultural significance.
As for the stolen slippers, their journey from the Judy Garland Museum to their eventual recovery may have added to their mystique and legend. While they were, in fact, not adorned with real rubies, the ruby slippers continue to hold a special place in the hearts of movie lovers around the world.
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