The SS Central America sank in an 1857 hurricane carrying tons of California Gold Rush treasure, taking over 400 lives and triggering an economic panic. In 1988, oceanic engineer Tommy Thompson accomplished what many deemed impossible: his team located the shipwreck at a depth of 7,200 feet using advanced sonar and underwater robotics. Thompson's recovery operation brought up millions of dollars worth of gold bars and rare coins.
However, the discovery triggered a massive legal battle as 39 insurance companies filed claims, arguing they had paid out disaster losses in the 19th century. After decades of bitter litigation, Thompson settled with the insurers, but soon faced lawsuits from his own investors and crew members who claimed they never received their cut. Instead of appearing in court to account for 500 missing gold coins valued at tens of millions of dollars, Thompson became a federal fugitive in 2012.
He was apprehended by US Marshals in a Florida hotel in 2015. Refusing to cooperate or disclose the location of the missing gold, a federal judge held Thompson in civil contempt of court. He has remained in federal prison ever since, paying $1,000 in fines per day, preferring incarceration over surrendering his long-sought fortune.