It sounds like he didn’t know he had stolen goods. What would they charge him with?
My guess is the Cuba bit was a cover, that the cops had evidence linking the original heist to him.
Of course this is merely conjecture, but it could be that he was seeking an expert certification of authenticity so that he could sell it, perhaps on the black market.
Regardless, I believe that 'possession of stolen goods' is an offense in and of itself. He has some serious 'splainin'' to do....
I have no doubt that most thieves in prison had a defense of "why glory be, I didn't know it was stolen! Surprise, Surprise!"