Two men have been sentenced in connection to the theft of rare baseball cards worth a staggering $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 received a four to six-year prison sentence, followed by two to five years of community control.
Paxton’s actions resulted in the theft of collectibles shipped by vintage sports card dealer Memory Lane Inc. The stolen cards were meant for a sports card expo at the Brunswick Auto Mart Arena nearby but ended up in the wrong hands. Following an investigation, it was alleged that Paxton took advantage of his position at the hotel to steal the valuable cards for himself.
During the court proceedings, Paxton expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the impact of his choices on the victim and his own life. Despite initial reluctance, he eventually admitted to the theft, leading authorities to Jason Bowling, 51, of Cleveland, who received the stolen cards from Paxton. Bowling, represented by attorney Jaye Schlachet, claimed to be unaware of the cards’ origins, believing they were simply discarded items found by Paxton.
Police executed a search warrant at Bowling’s residence and managed to recover most of the stolen cards, although two remain missing to this day. The items still unrecovered are a 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson card with a PSA grade of 5 and certificate No. 90586922, as well as 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.
The theft had a profound impact on Memory Lane Inc., causing financial loss and damaging the company’s reputation. In a victim impact statement, it was revealed that the incident resulted in the loss of a $2 million loan, $100,000 in interest, and tarnished credibility for the business.
Efforts to locate the missing cards continue, with a plea to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of the remaining two valuable items. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to reach out to Strongsville police at 440-580-3247, referencing report No. 2024-000693. It remains to be seen if these missing cards will ever be recovered and returned to their rightful owner.
