JBLM Soldier Charged With Stealing $630,000 Worth of Weaponry, Sensitive Items

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier has been charged in the theft of approximately $630,000 worth of sensitive items that include laser sights, optical equipment and riflescopes stolen in early January, according to base spokesman Joseph Piek.

Pvt. Nicholas A. Solt of Slatington, PA, has been charged with six criminal counts and has been placed in pre-trial confinement, Army officials stated. If convicted on all charges, Solt, 22, faces 59 years of confinement, total forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dishonorable discharge.

Army officials in a press release reported that 98 percent of the $630,000 of stolen sensitive items and equipment was recovered in mid-January at off-post residences. The massive theft prompted an administrative lockdown of the 4th Stryker Brigade, which Solt was assigned to.

The Army said the move proved essential in assisting the command and law enforcement in advancing the investigation and recovering the equipment.

“CID agents were able to move quickly because of the administrative actions taken and the I Corps Command appreciates their hard work, dedication and terrific police work,” said I Corps Chief of Staff Col. Steven Bullimore.

Solt joined the Army in June 2008 and trained as an infantryman at Fort Benning, Ga. He arrived at JBLM in October 2008 and was assigned to the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. He deployed to Iraq from September 2009 to September 2010.

Solt is charged with:

• Without proper authority selling optical and targeting equipment of a value more then $500
• Larceny of military property, of a value of more than $500
• Unlawfully entering a government building with the intent to commit a criminal offense
• Wrongfully communicating a threat to kill an individual
• Violation of a general order wrongfully possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Wrongfully possessing anabolic steroids

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Check back with Patch for an update.