Guilty plea leads to drug treatment for offender

A Jefferson City man was placed in long term drug treatment in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to multiple charges in connection with several thefts in Cole and Boone counties.

Nicholas Veltrop, 38, pled guilty to Cole County charges of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree burglary, felony stealing and fraudulent use of a credit device during a hearing before Cole County Judge Dan Green.

Veltrop was found in early January at Comfort Inn Suites on Country Club Drive, according to Cole County Sheriff's Department probable cause statements. When taken into custody, he first admitted to stealing a pair of boots from a store in Columbia, saying they could be found at his RV parked on Heritage Highway.

As authorities continued their questioning, Veltrop talked about other crimes he had committed. He admitted to being a methamphetamine addict and said authorities could find meth in a bag in the room he had at the hotel.

Deputies went to the hotel and found a small amount of meth and a loaded .45 handgun in the bag. Veltrop is a three-time felon and is not allowed to possess firearms.

Veltrop gave consent to search his RV, where deputies found multiple tools he had purchased with a stolen credit card.

Further investigation found Veltrop had stolen the credit card while asking for financial assistance from an employee Dec. 22 at First Presbyterian Church on Madison Street.

Veltrop used the card to purchase the tools online, valued at more than $1,900. He had the tools delivered to the address of the church employee whose credit card he had used. On Dec. 30, the employee reported someone had broken into her home and taken the shipment of tools.

Veltrop confessed to taking the credit card, ordering the tools, breaking into the home and having his girlfriend pawn some of the tools for money.

Veltrop has three prior stealing-related offenses in Cole County he has been found guilty of.