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	Former Newman Center Priest Gets Probation over Cocaine By Mary Schenk The News-Gazette February 12, 2009 http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/02/12/former_newman_center_priest_gets_probation_over_cocaine URBANA – A Catholic priest formerly assigned to the Newman Center at the University of Illinois admitted to a Champaign County judge Thursday that he was a cocaine dealer. Christopher Layden, 34, now of Peoria, was sentenced to four years of probation after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony. Under the terms of an agreement negotiated by his Champaign attorney Mark Lipton and Assistant State's Attorney Dan Clifton, the state dismissed more serious charges alleging that Layden delivered cocaine and possessed cocaine with intent to deliver it, each of which carried mandatory prison terms. Layden admitted on Sept. 10, 2008, he had 1.9 grams of cocaine intended for sale in his residence at the Newman Center in Champaign. He was also fined $2,500, ordered to do 150 hours of public service work, get a substance abuse evaluation and follow treatment recommendations. Lipton said Layden already has been through in-patient drug treatment and is now in continuing care.
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