Treasure hunter freed from prison after refusing to turn over shipwreck gold
Tommy Thompson spent over a decade in prison for not revealing the location of 500 missing gold coins.
Summary
Tommy Thompson has been released from prison after spending more than ten years incarcerated. His imprisonment was a result of his refusal to disclose the whereabouts of 500 gold coins linked to a shipwreck.
The coins in question are believed to be part of a larger treasure recovered from the wreck of the SS Central America, which sank in 1857. Thompson's case raises questions about the legal obligations of treasure hunters regarding the disclosure of recovered artifacts.
This release may have implications for future treasure recovery operations, particularly concerning the legal frameworks governing the ownership and reporting of found treasures.
Updates
Update at 02:48 UTC on 2026-03-15
Hacker News reported A treasure hunter's legal battle ends as he is released from prison, sparking discussions on treasure rights.
Sources: Hacker News