Man Apologizes For 1987 WSU Theft

A man has been sentenced to probation for stealing a statue from Wichita State more than 25 years ago.

Mitchel R. Potter of Lamar, Mo., has pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property in connection with the 1987 theft of a bronze bust of poet Robert Frost from WSU. Potter, who was not a student at Wichita State, was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.

Potter, now 45, says he stole the statue when he was a 19-year-old fraternity pledge and that he should have left the sculpture alone.

He was arrested last year after a tip led authorities to the bust at Potter’s home. He has returned the statue, which is now in storage at Wichita State.

Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle