Couple plead not guilty in theft of diamond rings

A former NFL player and his wife pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges relating to the June 2009 theft of almost $3 million in diamonds from a high-end jewelry dealer.

Authorities allege Matt Keneley, 36, a 1997 seventh-round draft pick of the New York Giants, stumbled across a diamond-filled black pouch while working as a bouncer at the Spearmint Rhino.

California diamond merchant Eli Abdalnour, who was in Las Vegas for the 2009 JCK Jewelry Show at the Sands Convention Center, lost the pouch after spending about 30 minutes at the strip club June 2, 2009.

Authorities said Keneley returned the pouch with most of the gems but kept two diamond rings.

Along with his wife, Antoinette Keneley, 33, and a co-conspirator, Matt Keneley is alleged to have sold the diamonds in Las Vegas and in the Cayman Islands for a total of $98,000.

The Keneleys were each indicted earlier this month on three charges relating to the theft of the stones, including felony possession of stolen property and conspiracy to possess stolen property, a gross misdemeanor.

Matt Keneley remained free on $50,000 bond. Antoinette Keneley, a teacher in the Clark County School District, is free on her own recognizance. A school district spokesman said Antoinette Keneley is no longer teaching third grade at Bass Elementary School but is still being paid and was "assigned to home."

If convicted the two could face one to 10 years in prison.

A trial is scheduled for Jan. 18 before Judge James Bixler.

Co-defendant Richard Cullinan in February pleaded guilty to attempted possession of stolen property, a gross misdemeanor. He was sentenced in August by Judge Valorie Vega to three years probation.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@review
journal.com or 702-380-1039.