A Rogue Distillery Worker Stole $100,000 Worth of Whiskey and Now It Might Have to Be Destroyed

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) — A rogue distillery worker at the center of a bourbon-heist scheme that spirited away tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of liquor has pleaded guilty in a case that has secured a place in Kentucky lore. Gilbert “Toby” Curtsinger, accused as the ringleader of the operation that stole bourbon from a pair of Kentucky distilleries, entered the plea Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court to charges including theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The one-time Buffalo Trace distillery employee, accused of delivering tarp-draped barrels to customers, faces up to 15 years in prison. “This case is one that has a romantic aspect to it, has a very Kentuckiana aspect to it … but in the end, this is a property theft crime,” prosecutor Zachary Becker said after the plea. The thefts included hard-to-get and pricey brands such as Pappy Van Winkle bourbon that was taken from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The thefts also targeted the Wild Turkey distillery. Sheriff Pat Melton has estimated the recovered whiskey was worth at least $100,000. Defense attorney Whitney Lawson said the plea agreement was the best decision for Curtsinger and his family. “This was a decision that was made by my client so that he can find some peace and some resolution to this,” Lawson told reporters, Curtsinger will be sentenced after the case against one last defendant is resolved. Both distilleries targeted by the scheme a...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized APW Bizarre Crime onetime Source Type: news