For nearly three decades, FBI agent Ronnie Walker was at the heart of one of the most specialized units in law enforcement—the Art Crime Team. Walker, an art expert and undercover investigator, dedicated his career to capturing thieves, forgers, and traffickers of stolen art. His experience led him to break open complex art crime rings, and one of his most significant operations involved convicted burglar Jerry Christy, whose art thefts targeted high-value works such as a Rembrandt etching.
In 2007, Walker posed as a potential buyer of stolen art to infiltrate Christy’s criminal network. His expertise in art history and market knowledge helped build trust, but it was the twist in the case that truly tested his undercover skills. Christy’s accomplice, a former art dealer, took the operation to the next level. Walker found himself in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, expertly keeping his cover while gathering evidence.
The team’s focus wasn’t limited to burglaries—fraud and forgeries were key areas of their investigation. With stolen artworks often entering the market, the team had to identify and track down the criminals behind these intricate schemes. In Christy’s case, Walker’s ability to convincingly play the role of an art dealer was pivotal. As the operation unfolded, Walker used detailed knowledge of the art world to gain Christy and his accomplice’s trust, helping lead to their eventual arrest and conviction.
Walker’s career within the Art Crime Team began in the early 2000s when the theft of over 15,000 artifacts from Iraq’s National Museum following the 2003 invasion sparked international outrage. The FBI responded by creating a dedicated Art Crime Team. As one of its founding members, Walker was tasked with recovering priceless stolen works and tracking down the sophisticated criminals who trafficked them. The team, which now includes experts in archaeology and anthropology, has successfully recovered over 20,000 pieces of cultural property, valued at more than $1 billion.
Walker’s most high-profile case included the recovery of Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz after being stolen from a museum in Minnesota. Walker’s undercover role in this case involved posing as a Hollywood memorabilia authenticator. However, his success didn’t come from just playing a role—it was his deep understanding of art history and the art market that made him a formidable undercover agent.
Today, after retiring from the FBI, Walker focuses on helping living artists protect their work through the Art Legacy Institute, which he founded. The institute focuses on documenting and archiving artists’ works to prevent forgeries, which have become an increasing threat in the digital age. By cataloging their works, artists can safeguard their creations from fraudsters attempting to replicate their style.
Walker’s story is a testament to the importance of knowledge, preparation, and meticulous attention to detail in undercover operations. Whether tracking down priceless stolen artwork or exposing forgeries, the FBI’s Art Crime Team continues to fight to preserve cultural heritage.
READ MORE: