Man Charged in Connection with Theft of Ruby Slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” Actress Judy Garland
A second man has been charged in connection with the 2005 theft of a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz.” Authorities revealed that the man, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 76, of Hennepin County, Minn., was charged with theft of major artwork and witness tampering.
The ruby slippers, one of several pairs worn by Garland in the film, were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn., in 2005. The whereabouts of the slippers remained a mystery until 2018 when the FBI announced they had been recovered.
According to the indictment, Saliterman received, concealed, and disposed of the stolen ruby slippers between August 2005 and July 2018. He also allegedly threatened an unidentified woman with the release of a sex tape if she spoke to the authorities about the theft.
Saliterman appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Paul on Friday but did not enter a plea. He was released on his own recognizance and his next court appearance has not been scheduled.
This case follows the guilty plea of Terry Martin, the first man charged in connection with the theft. Martin, 76, of Minnesota, pleaded guilty in October 2023 to theft of major artwork and was sentenced to one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the Judy Garland Museum.
It remains unclear if any other arrests will be made in connection with the theft. Saliterman’s lawyer stated that his client plans to plead not guilty and maintains his innocence. Prosecutors declined to comment on the case while it is pending.
The story of the stolen ruby slippers continues to unfold, revealing a complex web of criminal activity and intrigue surrounding these iconic pieces of Hollywood history.
