A first court appearance was held Friday morning for a man charged in connection with the theft of historic gold coins from the Pony Express Museum.

80-year-old Richard Follett of Stewartsville, Mo. entered a not guilty plea in front of Judge Rebecca Spencer.

Follett was charged Tuesday with felony theft/stealing.

According to court documents a witness saw Follett enter the Pony Express Museum and force open a display case containing rare gold coins valued at over $7,000.

Pony Express Museum Director Cindy Daffron said the six gold coins dating back to the 1800s have not been returned.

Follett has a preliminary hearing slated for April 30.