NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The former head of a Virginia maritime museum has been charged with selling off items from its Titanic collection and other memorabilia.

Lester Weber, onetime director of the Mariner's Museum in Newport News, was charged along with his wife with 26 counts of theft, fraud and failure to file tax returns.

Federal prosecutors allege the couple stole historical items from the museum between 2002 and 2006 and peddled them on eBay, the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot said Wednesday.

The allegedly stolen items include photos and papers from a mother and son who had survived the 1912 sinking of the Titanic.

Weber and wife Lori Childs made their initial court appearances Tuesday were released on bond.