"Compassionate, Gifted" Connecticut Priest Busted in Cross-country Meth Ring

New York Daily News
January 17, 2013

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/priest-charged-meth-ring-article-1.1241748?localLinksEnabled=false

Monsignor Kevin Wallin, a former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, Conn., has been charged as part of a five-man meth ring the feds busted up earlier this month. Wallin, 61, resigned from his post as pastor in 2011, citing health and personal issues.

Monsignor Kevin Wallin, of Bridgeport, Conn., was charged along with four others with selling crystal meth as part of a cross-country drug ring. Image courtesy of the Connecticut Post.

He went from pastor to pusher.

A Connecticut priest was part of a cross-country drug ring that smuggled crystal meth from California into the well-heeled hamlets of Fairfield County, federal prosecutors said.

Monsignor Kevin Wallin, a former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, sold meth to undercover narcs six times since September 2012, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday.

The 61-year-old former church leader and four others were indicted by a grand jury on six counts of possession with intent to distribute.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

Federal investigators arrested the group on Jan. 3.

St. Augustine Cathedral, above, in Bridgeport, Conn. Monsignor Kevin Wallin resigned his post there in June 2011.

The Diocese of Bridgeport expressed "shock" at the news, saying many in Fairfield County regarded him as "a gifted, accomplished and compassionate priest," according to a statement.

Wallin stepped down from his post as pastor in June 2011, citing health and personal issues, church officials said.

A month later, he was granted a sabbatical from the church and soon fell out of touch.

"During his sabbatical, the Diocese became concerned about Msgr. Wallin's well-being and has reached out to him," the diocese said in a statement. "To date, he has not spoken directly with diocesan officials."

He was stripped of his preaching faculties in May, the diocese said.

"The Diocese stands ready to help as it has throughout the past two years," the statement said. "We ask for prayers for Msgr. Wallin during the difficult days ahead for him."

Kenneth Devries, 52, of Waterbury; Michael Neslon, 40, of Manchester; Chad McCluskey, 43, from San Clemente, Calif.; and Kristen Laschober, 47, from Laguna Niguel, Calif. were also charged in the alleged ring.

With News Wire Services