Wichita ? The jury began deliberating Monday afternoon in the federal trial of former Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center President and Chief Executive Officer Max Ary, who is accused of stealing and selling museum items.

Attorneys presented closing arguments Monday before the jury got the case around 2 p.m.

Ary, who co-founded the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and led it for more than 26 years, is charged with 19 federal counts, including fraud, theft and money laundering.

If convicted, Ary faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the wire fraud and mail fraud counts. He faces up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine on each count of theft and each count of transportation of stolen property.

Two of the counts ask for the return of any property or proceeds Ary received as a result of the alleged crimes.