Ohio Treasure Hunter Released from Prison, Still Tight-Lipped on Gold Hoard

Thomas "Tommy" Thompson, who recovered millions in gold from an 1857 shipwreck, has been released from federal prison but continues to refuse to disclose the treasure's location.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:10pm

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An Ohio scientist and treasure hunter named Thomas "Tommy" Thompson, who was accused of bilking investors out of millions of dollars in gold recovered from the 1857 wreck of the S.S. Central America, has been released from federal prison after refusing for years to tell authorities where he stashed the valuable treasure. Thompson was released on March 4, 2026 after serving multiple sentences, but he remains tight-lipped on the gold's location despite facing millions in fines.

Why it matters

The case of Tommy Thompson and the S.S. Central America gold has captivated the public for decades, raising questions about the rights of investors versus treasure hunters, the ethics of withholding valuable historical artifacts, and the ability of the justice system to compel individuals to comply with court orders.

The details

In the 1980s, Thompson convinced around 160 investors, many from Ohio, to provide funding for his efforts to locate the wreckage of the S.S. Central America, a ship that sank in 1857 while carrying an estimated 21 tons of gold. In 1988, Thompson was successful in recovering gold coins and bars worth over $100 million, but he has refused to disclose the treasure's location, leading to lawsuits from investors, insurers, and others. Thompson fled to Florida in 2013 but was eventually arrested and held in contempt of court until he agreed to reveal the gold's whereabouts, which he claimed he had forgotten.

  • Thompson was released from federal prison on March 4, 2026.
  • Thompson was first ordered incarcerated in 2015 for refusing to tell a federal judge where he had stashed the recovered gold.
  • Thompson finished one prison sentence in February 2025 but then began a second sentence on a criminal contempt finding.
  • Thompson recovered the gold from the S.S. Central America wreckage in 1988.

The players

Thomas "Tommy" Thompson

A 73-year-old Ohio scientist and treasure hunter who recovered millions in gold from the 1857 wreck of the S.S. Central America but has refused to disclose the treasure's location.

S.S. Central America

A ship that sank in 1857 during a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina while carrying an estimated 21 tons of gold, leading to the deaths of around 425 passengers and crew.

Algenon Marbley

The U.S. District Court Judge in Columbus, Ohio who ordered Thompson to be held in federal prison for contempt of court until he agreed to give up the treasure's location.

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What they’re saying

“Thompson maintained he had forgotten the location, but Marbley and the plaintiffs believed he was faking.”

— Algenon Marbley, U.S. District Court Judge (The Dispatch)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Thompson to be released on bail as he continues to refuse to disclose the location of the recovered gold.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding treasure hunting, investor rights, and the preservation of historical artifacts. It raises questions about how far the justice system can go in compelling individuals to comply with court orders, and whether Thompson's continued refusal to cooperate is justified or merely an attempt to retain control over a valuable find.