(FRANKFORT, Ky.) — A rogue distillery worker at the center of a bourbon-heist scheme that spirited away tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of liquor has pleaded guilty in a case that has secured a place in Kentucky lore. Gilbert “Toby” Curtsinger, accused as the ringleader of the operation that stole bourbon from a pair of Kentucky distilleries, entered the plea Wednesday in Franklin County Circuit Court to charges including theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The one-time Buffalo Trace distillery employee, accused of delivering tarp-draped barrels to customers, faces up to 15 years in prison. “This case is one that has a romantic aspect to it, has a very Kentuckiana aspect to it … but in the end, this is a property theft crime,” prosecutor Zachary Becker said after the plea. The thefts included hard-to-get and pricey brands such as Pappy Van Winkle bourbon that was taken from the Buffalo Trace Distillery.