WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A Wichita man has pled guilty to the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue from League 42 earlier this year. 

On Thursday, 45-year-old Ricky Alderete of Wichita pled guilty in District Judge Tyler Roush’s courtroom to the theft of the Jackie Robinson statue from League 42.

The Jackie Robinson statue was cut from its base at McAdams Park on January 26. Only the feet were left.

Two days later, police recovered the truck that was believed to be used in the theft. The statue itself was found inside a burnt trash can at Garvey Park, burned and in pieces, on January 30. 

The news of the vandalism and destruction sent shockwaves throughout not only Wichita but across the country. Over the next few weeks, support rolled in from across the country, including donations from Major League Baseball and others, to replace the statue.

It is believed that the theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping metal.

The statue itself was found inside a burnt trash can at Garvey Park, burned and in pieces, on January 30. 
The statue itself was found inside a burnt trash can at Garvey Park, burned and in pieces, on January 30.   

Alderete pled guilty to aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, theft, making a false writing, and identity theft. 

Judge Roush told Alderete the maximum sentence is 229 months in prison and six months in jail. Judge Roush also said he could order Alderete to pay $41,500 to League 42 when he is sentenced on July 1st.

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