Jefferson City man pleads guilty in federal court to stealing firearms in multiple burglaries

Tom Larson the acting United States attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced Thursday that Stephan Whelan, 22, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing firearms that he had previously stolen.

Whelan was initially arrested in December, when a deputy stopped a vehicle that had Whelan as the passenger. Numerous burglaries had been reported in previous months in which a similar vehicle was involved.

Inside the car, the deputy noticed numerous items that appeared to be stolen.

Upon checking a serial number of one of the items and learning it was stolen, Whelan was arrested.

Whelan admitted that he had been a part of so many burglaries that he could not remember where specific items were taken from.

Whelan also admitted to trading the stolen items, including firearms, for methamphetamine.

Under federal law, Whelan is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole.