Tourist Who Stole Terracotta Army Thumb Sentenced to Probation
The Incident that Sparked International Outrage
In December 2017, Michael Rohana, a 24-year-old man from Delaware, attended a holiday party hosted at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The museum was showcasing a special exhibition of artifacts from the famed Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
During the event, Rohana snuck into a closed exhibit area, unbeknownst to security cameras. There, he made contact with a statue valued at $4.5 million, known as "The Cavalryman." Rohana took selfies with the statue, and in a brazen act of vandalism, broke off the statue's left thumb and pocketed it.
The Aftermath and Investigation
Museum staff noticed the missing thumb weeks later, alerting authorities and sparking an FBI investigation. The theft caused outrage in China, with many citizens and officials calling for Rohana to face severe punishment.
Rohana confessed to the crime and claimed he kept the thumb in a desk drawer at his home. He expressed remorse, maintaining that he acted foolishly under the influence of alcohol and was not fully aware of the severity of his actions.
The Trial and Sentencing
Rohana was charged with theft and concealment of a cultural heritage object. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case drew international attention, highlighting the importance of protecting cultural artifacts and the consequences of damaging irreplaceable pieces of history.
In 2019, Rohana pleaded guilty to the charges. After a lengthy legal process, a federal judge sentenced Rohana to five years' probation, including six months of house arrest. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service.
The Importance of Cultural Sensitivity
The case of Michael Rohana serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and respect for historical artifacts. It highlights the need for museums to maintain stringent security measures to protect their collections, and the potential consequences of thoughtless actions.
The incident also underscores the need for individuals to be mindful of their behavior, especially when visiting places of cultural significance. Stealing or damaging artifacts is not just a crime, it's an act of disrespect towards another culture's history and heritage.
FAQs:
1. What happened to the stolen thumb? The stolen thumb was recovered from Rohana's home and returned to China, where it was reattached to the statue.
2. Did Rohana face any jail time? No, Rohana did not face any jail time. He was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay a fine and perform community service.
3. What is the significance of the Terracotta Army? The Terracotta Army is a collection of thousands of life-size clay soldiers and horses buried with Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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