Apple Valley man charged in OJ Simpson Heisman Trophy theft

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An Apple Valley man was charged Wednesday with a felony in connection to the theft of a duplicate of O.J. Simpson's Heisman Trophy more than 20 years ago from the University of Southern California.

Lewis Eugene Starks Jr., 56, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to one count of receiving stolen property. Prosecutors say Starks tried to sell the trophy, a plaque and a jersey worn by Simpson.

The trophy was a duplicate of the 1968 Heisman Trophy awarded to Simpson for being the best player in college football.

The trophy used to be part of an exhibit in the lobby of Heritage Hall at USC, but it mysteriously disappeared on July 28, 1994, along with a jersey worn by Simpson, in the middle of Simpson's double murder investigation. A custodian working on campus reported the crime.

On Dec. 16, 2014, detectives assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's art theft detail recovered the trophy after Starks allegedly tried to sell it.

The attorney representing Starks says his client turned the trophy over to USC last December, and that Los Angeles police put him through a polygraph test, which he passed, but arrested him anyway.

Starks was arrested and convicted of burglary in 1987, according to court documents.

Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II reduced Starks' bail from $75,000 to $20,000 on Wednesday.

Starks, who was arrested Monday by Los Angeles police, faces up to six years in state prison if convicted. He's due back in court on Sept. 15.