Priest Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge Pays Fine, by Anna Baxter, WSAZ, October 29, 2008

Priest Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge, Pays Fine

By Anna Baxter
WSAZ
October 29, 2008

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/33515099.html

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — A priest in South Charleston facing drug charges has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Father James O'Connor was arrested on felony drug charges last month after police say they found seventy-three grams of marijuana in his car.

A court spokesperson tells WSAZ.com O'Connor has recently appeared in Magistrate Court and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge that was a misdemeanor. O'Connor paid $259.53 in court costs to settle the case.

The Diocese suspended O'Connor from his duties at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church right after his arrest and then named his replacement.