Crystal, Minnesota – A second man has been indicted in connection with the infamous 2005 theft of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.” Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, faces charges of theft of a major artwork and witness tampering, making his first appearance in U.S. District Court in St. Paul last Friday without entering a plea.
The iconic ruby slippers, adorned with sequins and glass beads, were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota almost two decades ago. The whereabouts of the stolen slippers remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018.
According to the indictment, Saliterman allegedly received, concealed, and disposed of the stolen ruby slippers between August 2005 and July 2018. The indictment also mentions that he threatened a woman with releasing a compromising video of her if she did not keep quiet about the stolen slippers.
During his court appearance, Saliterman, who was seen in a wheelchair and using supplemental oxygen, responded with a simple “yes” when asked if he understood the charges against him. His attorney, John Brink, maintained Saliterman’s innocence, stating that he had not committed any crimes. Saliterman was released on his own recognizance.
The individual who initially stole the ruby slippers, Terry Jon Martin, pleaded guilty to the theft in October. Martin confessed to using a hammer to break into the museum and display case housing the slippers. He hoped to extract real rubies from the slippers to sell, only to later discover that they were not genuine, prompting him to dispose of them.
The court documents unsealed on Sunday did not reveal how Martin and Saliterman may have been connected in the crime. The ruby slippers, known for their significant cultural value, are one of the four remaining authentic pairs worn by Judy Garland during the filming of “The Wizard of Oz.” Federal prosecutors estimate their market value at approximately $3.5 million.
The stolen slippers were ultimately recovered during an FBI sting in Minneapolis after a man approached the insurer claiming he could assist in their retrieval for a reward higher than the $200,000 being offered at the time. The iconic slippers are now being held by an auction house with plans to sell them to interested buyers.