Toby-the-Whiskey-Thief Gets 15 Years

The mastermind of a whiskey theft ring in Kentucky has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a scheme that siphoned tens of thousands of dollars' worth of bourbon from two distilleries, reports the AP. Former distillery worker Gilbert "Toby" Curtsinger pleaded guilty last year to charges that included theft and receiving stolen property. Curtsinger was sentenced Friday in Frankfort, Kentucky, in the case known as "Pappygate."

The thefts included hard-to-get and pricey brands such as Pappy Van Winkle bourbon taken from the Buffalo Trace distillery. The thefts also targeted the Wild Turkey distillery. Authorities estimated the recovered whiskey was worth at least $100,000. They say Curtsinger loaded whiskey barrels into a pickup truck, covered them with a tarp, and hauled them to potential buyers. He was indicted in 2015. (Not everyone who steals bourbon goes to jail. One opossum broke into a liquor store, got drunk on bourbon, and got away with it.)