Treasure Hunter Tommy Thompson Released After Decade in Prison

Tommy Thompson, the 73-year-aged deep-sea treasure hunter who discovered the wreck of the SS Central America – often called the “Ship of Gold” – has been released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence. Thompson’s imprisonment stemmed from his refusal to disclose the location of 500 gold coins recovered from the shipwreck, a case that captivated the world and sparked a legal battle with investors.

The Discovery of the “Ship of Gold”

In 1988, Thompson and his crew located the SS Central America off the coast of South Carolina, more than 7,000 feet below the surface. The ship sank in 1857 during a hurricane, carrying approximately 30,000 pounds of gold intended to create a financial reserve for banks on the East Coast. The disaster also resulted in the loss of 425 lives and contributed to the financial panic of 1857.

Thompson’s team recovered thousands of gold bars and coins, eventually selling a portion to a gold marketing group in 2000 for around $50 million.

The Legal Battle and Thompson’s Disappearance

In 2005, investors who had provided Thompson with $12.7 million to fund the expedition sued him, alleging they had not received their promised returns. A criminal complaint later estimated the total value of the recovered gold to be as high as $400 million.

Thompson disappeared in 2012 while facing court demands for information about the missing coins. He and an associate were eventually arrested in 2015 in Boca Raton, Florida, and Thompson was subsequently jailed in 2015 on a criminal contempt charge for refusing to reveal the location of the 500 unaccounted-for gold coins.

Release and Remaining Questions

Thompson was released from prison last Wednesday, March 12, 2026, according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records. Despite his release, the location of the 500 missing gold coins remains unknown.

The SS Central America: A Historical Context

The SS Central America was carrying a significant amount of gold from the California Gold Rush when it sank. The loss of the ship and its cargo exacerbated the financial crisis of 1857, contributing to a widespread economic downturn. The discovery of the wreck in 1988 provided a unique glimpse into this pivotal moment in American history.