WICHITA, Kansas — Ricky Alderete, the man responsible for stealing the Jackie Robinson statue from McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced on Friday to nearly 15 years in prison for multiple crimes, including aggravated burglary and aggravated criminal damage. His sentence includes 13.5 years for aggravated burglary related to a separate case, and 18 months for stealing the statue.
On January 25, Alderete, who was on probation at the time, stole the 275-pound statue of the legendary baseball player. The statue was later found burned in Garvey Park, and investigators believe Alderete and others tried to pawn it for drug money. Alderete has 25 prior convictions and was ordered to pay $41,500 in restitution for the statue to League 42, a local baseball league named in honor of Robinson, which serves low-income youth.
Judge Tyler Roush compared the theft to a direct attack on the community, likening it to damaging an important local landmark. Alderete, who has struggled with fentanyl addiction, apologized before his sentencing, acknowledging his poor decisions and expressing regret for the harm caused. Despite arguments for a lighter sentence, the judge upheld the prison term, citing the severity of his crimes.
League 42 director Bob Lutz spoke before the sentencing, expressing sympathy for Alderete and his family, while noting the positive impact the league has on young people in the community. The statue, funded by donations including $100,000 from Major League Baseball, has been rebuilt and will be unveiled in a ceremony on Monday.
