Two individuals received sentencing on Monday for their involvement in the theft of rare baseball cards worth $2.1 million from a Strongsville hotel earlier this year. Jacob R. Paxton, 28, who was an employee at the hotel, pleaded guilty to aggravated theft and was given a four to six-year prison sentence, followed by two to five years of community control. Paxton was also ordered to pay over $89,000 in restitution. A second charge of tampering with evidence was dropped as part of his plea agreement.
The theft took place when the valuable collectibles, shipped by vintage sports card dealer Memory Lane Inc., arrived at the Best Western Plus hotel on April 17. The cards were meant for a sports card expo at the Brunswick Auto Mart Arena. Prosecutors alleged that Paxton, being an employee at the hotel, rifled through delivered packages and made off with the prized cards.
During his court appearance, Paxton expressed remorse for his actions, apologizing to the victim and acknowledging his mistake. Following the theft, Paxton passed the stolen cards to Jason Bowling, 51, from Cleveland. Bowling’s attorney claimed his client believed the cards were discarded and was unaware of their stolen status.
A search warrant executed at Bowling’s residence on May 23 led to the recovery of all but two of the stolen cards. Investigators utilized various sources such as phone records, surveillance footage, GPS data, and witness testimonies to link both individuals to the crime. Bowling pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and received a one-year community control sentence.
The heist inflicted significant financial and reputational damage on Memory Lane Inc. The company reported losing a $2 million loan, $100,000 in interest, and suffering reputational harm due to the incident. Two cards from the stolen collection are still unaccounted for: a 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson card with a PSA grade of 5 and certificate No. 90586922, and a 1941 Play Ball No. 14 Ted Williams card in near-mint-to-mint condition with a PSA grade of 8 and certificate No. 05159693.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the missing cards to reach out to the Strongsville police at 440-580-3247, referencing report No. 2024-000693. The investigation into the whereabouts of these highly prized and elusive treasures continues as the hunt for justice persists.
