USC’s copy of O.J. Simpson Heisman, stolen in 1994, is returned after Apple Valley man is sentenced

An Apple Valley man has been sentenced to three years’ formal probation in connection with the 1994 theft of O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy from USC.

Lewis Eugene Starks Jr., 57, pleaded no contest to one count of receiving stolen property. He was accused of possessing the university’s copy of the trophy and a plaque, both of which were stolen from USC’s Heritage Hall more than two decades ago, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Starks pleaded not guilty to the felony count in September 2015, but changed his plea to no contest on June 30. He was sentenced the same day.

The trophy and plaque, which were held by the district attorney’s office and LAPD during the case, were returned to the university on Wednesday.

USC Sports Information Director Tim Tessalone said the disassembled trophy arrived to the university in three pieces, the same condition it was in when authorities recovered it in December 2014.

Tessalone did not provide details on which university officials will decide whether the trophy will go on display. USC received a replica trophy after the original was taken in 1994.

Simpson won the Heisman in 1968. In 1995, he was found not guilty in the slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Two years later, he was found liable for their deaths in a civil trial.

Simpson is being held at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada for his involvement in a 2008 armed robbery and kidnapping.

shane.newell@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @journoshane.

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