A Connecticut priest has been charged with helping to run a cross-country methamphetamine distribution ring. Officials also believe his was laundering his drug money through the local sex shop he owned.
Monsignor Kevin Wallin (61), now nicknamed “Monsignor Meth” in the press, was reportedly removed from his duties at Bridgeport's St. Augustine Cathedral last year when the Catholic Church discovered he was a cross-dresser who was having sex in the rectory. The Church continued to pay his stipend until he was arrested for selling meth to undercover police on six different occasions, reports the Connecticut Post.
According to his indictment, Wallin was selling up to $9,000 of meth per week.
Having been given a “sabbatical” by the Catholic Church Wallin bought an adult specialty and video store, which sells sex toys and X-rated DVDs. Investigators believe he used the store, in North Haven, called Land of Oz, to launder thousands of dollar every week.
Wallin is indicted with receiving drug shipments from suppliers in California. He then sold the drugs to undercover police officers, on six different occasions between September 2012 and 3rd January 2013, when he was arrested.
Kenneth Devries (52) of Waterbury, Michael Neslon (40) from Manchester, Chad McCluskey (43) from San Clemente, California, and Kristen Laschober (47) from Laguna Niguel, California were also arrested in connection to this alleged meth drug ring.
The former priest is being detained without bond pending an arraignment next week. If convicted Wallin could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of $2 million.
Previous reports had stated that Wallin had stepped down from his position in St. Augustine’s citing health concerns and person problems as the reason.
A statement from the Church, released by NBC read: “During his sabbatical, the Diocese became concerned about Msgr. Wallin's well-being and have continued to reach out to him…To date, he has not spoken directly with diocesan officials.
“News of [his] arrest comes with a sense of shock and concern on the part of the Diocese and the many people of Fairfield County who have known him as a gifted, accomplished and compassionate priest.”
The Diocese officials have stressed that they had no information of Wallin’s involvement in selling drugs during his career as a priest.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Ms.Gail | Jan 22, 2013, 08:02 PM EST
Where does the Vatican get money? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/21/vatican-secret-property-empire-mussolini
Smyrnian | Jan 22, 2013, 01:12 PM EST
Bill - generalizations are never a good thing. I spent 13 years being taught by a great many priests, brothers and nuns of many different orders and I was an altar boy for 5 years. I never experienced anything bad or wrong. I did experience some very fine people who gave me an excellent education and a lot of great memories. You won't see anything positive on this site about the RC Church. For the record, my experience was in no way unique.
merefalow | Jan 22, 2013, 10:00 AM EST
i dont know what to say honestly,if a fiction writer ever put a character like this in a book it would have been slaughtered by critics.Its like bad police?
bill struth | Jan 21, 2013, 01:31 PM EST
yeah just another catholic hating story...just like irelands 40 year abuse of hundreds of children... makes you wonder what they got up to the 40 years before that...
Smyrnian | Jan 21, 2013, 02:35 AM EST
RichardP - There is no connection. It's just another Catholic hating IC story. They rake the gutters every day for something like this. It's constant.
EphraimKibbey | Jan 20, 2013, 05:05 PM EST
My real concern, Happyhippo, would be - who was hearing HIS?
Happyhippo | Jan 20, 2013, 03:45 PM EST
A cross-dresser Priest having sex in the rectory,owner of a sex shop,dealing in drugs,and a lot more we most likely will never hear about,Jeez,Im glad the Monsignor didnt hear my confessions.
canadianirish | Jan 20, 2013, 12:13 PM EST
Just when I thought I'd heard it all...
PhlutiePhan | Jan 20, 2013, 10:19 AM EST
What about "guilt and remorse". The diocese of Bridgeport from whence Egen of New York came had nothing to say about that. The statement is only about concern for the well being of the good monsignor. First, there is guilt and then there is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not the first concern. Conservatives in the Church have it right. Liberals continue their reform of the Church toward gay marriage and support for abortion. This guy being promoted to monsignor and being in a position of influence with Cardinal Egen "make the Church into a laughing stock". The problem is with the destruction of the liturgy into the acceptance of every form of malformation within the service itself. The tabernacle which is emblematic of the Ark of the Covenant is being moved out of the sanctuary and being replaced by clown spokesmen such as "Monsignor Meth".
bunkerisland | Jan 20, 2013, 09:53 AM EST
Another member of the Catholic clergy turned criminal with no supervision by his superiors. Confiscate his criminally obtained wealth and lock him up.
Springfield9 | Jan 20, 2013, 09:06 AM EST
That was one ugly cross-dresser
RichardP | Jan 19, 2013, 09:19 AM EST
This story has what Irish connection exactly?