The Elder Art Department is currently under investigation from federal agents after the uncovering of an illegal art smuggling ring. The illegal ring was uncovered within the last few hours and investigators are on the scene.
The ring was uncovered during the early hours of March 27 when Elder student, Landon Casey, reported a painting found in the art room that seemed out of place. He told reporters, “I looked down and saw a really nice oil painting, I bent down and turned it over and it said Serge Ferat.” Casey would then report the art to the principal of the school who would eventually report it to the proper authorities.
The painting would turn out to be one of several hundred paintings on the FBI’s stolen art list. The art seemed to be held in storage in a secret storage facility hidden within the walls of the building. FBI agent Jennings would tell reporters, “This is the biggest art smuggling ring we have uncovered in over 30 years.”
Experts say that most of the art seem to be in pristine condition, being held in dehumidified and temperature-controlled spaces within the walls of the building. According to investigators the long narrow halls seem to be over 60 years old. Investigators have assumed that several billion dollars’ worth of art has been transported throughout the building over the past 60 years. It would appear that most of the art was only in partial storage and awaiting to be moved to clients and this was the reason for the art being out of storage. FBI agent Jennings said that almost 600 million dollars’ worth of art was being held within the walls of the building at that moment in time.
The principal, Kurt Ruffing, has taken a position of innocence. He has told reporters, “I had no idea about any of the art or the money.” He has cooperated with investigators up to this point and does not seem a prime suspect for the investigation. He has denied that the school was involved with the ring in any way and has made the decision to continue classes in defiance to many critics who call for the school to be held accountable for the smuggling ring.
It is still unclear who the leader of the operation is, but several suspects have been identified. One of these suspects being Alex Coffman who may have ties with several gangs and organized crime organizations. Coffman has not been found and is presumed on the run from the police. He is expected to be several states away at this point but could still be within the Tri-State area so police ask citizens to report any suspicious activity or sightings of the suspect.
The investigation is still ongoing, and new information is being released as this article is being posted. Investigators urge anyone with information on the ring to step forward and provide what they have found. Investigators also urge you to look at what day it is today. April fools.
