Man Sentenced for $300K Magic Card Heist at Gen Con 2023

Indianapolis, IN – A man arrested for stealing approximately $300,000 worth of Magic: The Gathering cards at Gen Con 2023 has been sentenced. Thomas J. Dunbar, 42, pleaded guilty under a plea agreement after felony charges against him were reduced.

During the event on August 2, 2023, Dunbar and his co-defendant Andrew Giaume, also 42, used a pallet jack to steal valuable trading cards, including those from Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, and Disney Lorcana. The heist occurred the day before the convention opened.

Dunbar was sentenced to two years of probation, during which he will pay restitution of $542 to Alan Hochman of Pastimes and $27,141 to Wizards of the Coast. The probation will take place in New York, where Dunbar resides.

In addition to the financial penalties, Dunbar has been ordered to complete 40 hours of community service—10 of which will take place in Indiana and the remaining 30 in New York. As part of his sentencing, he must also write an apology letter to the Gen Con community.

David Hoppe, President of Gen Con, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “Gen Con is pleased to see this offender brought to justice and applauds convention center security, IMPD, and the Marion County Prosecutor for their diligent work in concluding this case,” he said.

Dunbar has agreed to stay away from the Indianapolis Convention Center for two years. Meanwhile, Giaume remains under felony indictment, with his trial scheduled for July 2025.