Man Charged With "Stashing" O.J. Simpson's Stolen Heisman Trophy

O.J. Simpson Playing For USC

USC's O.J. Simpson tries to break a tackle as he picks up five yards at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in this Nov. 9, 1968, photo.

Hf / AP

A 56-year-man has been charged with "stashing away" O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy, which was reported stolen from the University of Southern California 20 years ago, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Lewis Eugene Starks Jr. was charged Wednesday with receiving and keep known stolen property, a felony according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. Starks, who was expected to be arraigned later in the day, remained in custody in lieu of $70,000 bail.

Simpson's trophy was taken during a burglary at USC in 1994. According to the original theft report, a custodian discovered the trophy missing after seeing its plexiglass case dismantled. Simpson’s jersey and plaque were also taken. The plaque was found in Starks' possession, but the jersey is still missing.

Simpson was awarded the Heisman award in 1968, when he was a student playing football at USC. The trophy was not the original one given to Simpson but a duplicate given to the university. Simpson's trophy was sold at a court ordered auction for a reported $255,000 after he was sued in a civil suit by the families of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson over their deaths.

O.J. Simpson's 1968 Heisman Trophy at a court-ordered auction in 1999.

Rene Macura / AP

The current value of the recovered trophy is not clear.

Simpson is currently still serving a 33-year sentence for kidnapping and robbery in the Lovelock Correctional Facility in Nevada.

This isn't Starks first brush with the law, having been convicted of burglary in 1987. Because of his prior conviction, if Stark is found guilty of the current charge, he could face up to six years in state prison.

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