Priest Indicted in Federal Drug Case

By The Hartford Courant
Edmund H. Mahony
January 16, 2013

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-drug-indictment-0117-20130116,0,6132746.story

A federal grand jury has indicted five men – including a Bridgeport priest – as members of a drug distribution ring that sold methamphetamine in Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney's office said Wednesday.

The priest, Msgr. Kevin Wallin, is accused of receiving shipments of the drug, known as crystal meth, from a California supplier and selling it to an undercover narcotics investigator six times since September.

Wallin's, whose most recent address is in Waterbury, could not be reached. A spokesman for the Diocese of Bridgeport, said Wallin was "a gifted, compassionate and accomplished priest," and said his colleagues reacted to his arrest with a sense of "shock and concern."

Wallin had long been associated with St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, where he had been pastor for nine years until his resignation in June 2011. At the time of his resignation, he told parishioners that he was "struggling with a number of health and personal issues," according to a statement distributed by the Diocese Wednesday.

The Diocese said Wallin was granted a sabbatical in July 2011.

Wallin's colleagues became concerned about his well-being during the sabbatical, but he declined repeated offers of assistance or professional help, the Diocese said.

"Msgr. Wallin subsequently cut off communications with the Diocese," the statement said. "As a result, his faculties for public ministry were suspended in May 2012, and he has not been reassigned. To date, he has not spoken directly with diocesan officials, though the Diocese stands ready to help as it has throughout the past two years. We ask for prayers for Msgr. Wallin during the difficult days ahead for him."

Wallin and the others were charged following a long, undercover narcotics investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police.

According to the government, Wallin received shipments of methamphetamine from individuals in California. In addition to Wallin, those arrested are Kenneth Devries, 52, of Waterbury; Michael Nelson, 40, of Manchester; Chad McCluskey, 43 of San Clemente, Calif.; and Kristen Laschober, 47, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

All are charged with a participating in a drug distribution conspiracy. The indictment charges Wallin additionally with six counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. All are being held without bail.

The conspiracy charges carry minimum sentences of 10 years. Wallin faces up to an additional 20 years if convicted of the additional charges, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Wallin was ordained by former Bridgeport Bishop Walter W. Curtis in 1984. He held of variety of church positions before being appointed pastor of St. Augustine Parish, including secretary to both Curtis and former Bishop Edward M. Egan.



Contact: emahony@courant.com