A former deep-sea treasure hunter and research scientist jailed for refusing to disclose the location of 500 missing gold coins may soon be released, after a judge ended the charge, stating he "no longer is convinced that further incarceration is likely to coerce compliance.

- Tommy Thompson holds a $50 pioneer gold piece retrieved from the wreck of the ship S.S. Central America, Nov. 1989. (Lon Horwedel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, File) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A former deep-sea treasure hunter who has served nearly a decade in jail for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of missing gold coins has had that term ended by a federal judge in Ohio,