John W. Pilcher, 67, was charged in May with one count of theft by receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Pilcher pleaded guilty Monday in 3rd District Court to a lesser count of class A misdemeanor theft. He faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced Nov. 3 before Judge Robin Reese.

Police say Pilcher sold a stolen painting, "Approaching Storm" by artist Edwin Evans, to antique dealer Anthony B. Christensen in February.

Pilcher told police he bought the painting from another man out of the trunk of a car in a Sears parking lot for $1,000. Pilcher then sold it to Christensen for $5,000, who valued it at $30,000, according to charging documents.

Christensen also was charged with theft by receiving stolen property, but the case against him was dropped earlier this month.

Christensen said he was the fourth person to purchase the painting after it was stolen, and that he returned the artwork when the rightful owner came looking for it at his shop.

He said he became entangled in the theft case because of Pilcher, who he trusted as an honest salesman.

Pilcher is the second person to plead guilty after being charged in connection with an antique theft ring in Salt Lake and Summit counties.

Others charged in connection with a recent rash of antique thefts were Ricky Hepner, 28; Shane Kennedy, 42; Sonny Gines, 24; Dennis Hobot, 41; Gerald Kory Lloyd, 46; and Carrie Lynn Galloway, 30.

Charges were dismissed against Hepner earlier this month.

Hobot pleaded guilty in June to an amended charge of attempted theft, a Class A misdemeanor. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15 before Judge Bruce Lubeck in Summit County.

The other cases are pending in court.

mrogers@sltrib.com