PAiN
04-03-2013, 09:00 PM
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130117-Wallin-jsw.380;380;7;70;0.JPG
Monsignor Kevin Wallin of the Diocese of Bridgeport, 2010.
A Connecticut Roman Catholic priest pleaded guilty on Tuesday to selling 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Monsignor Kevin Wallin, the 61-year-old former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, was arrested on Jan. 3, accused of receiving shipments of crystal meth from a California distributor and selling drugs to an undercover officer six times between September 2012 and January 2013.
According to court documents, Wallin had a crystal meth addiction and sold the drug out of his Waterbury apartment. He also sold drugs from the parking lot of Land of Oz in North Haven, an adult specialty store and smoke shop, that he bought in the fall.
Investigators believe that Wallin bought the store with drug proceeds and might have intended to use it to launder drug money.
On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. In doing so, he admitted to receiving and distributing 1.7 kilograms of meth, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Wallin resigned in 2011 citing health and personal issues and was suspended from public ministry last May by the Diocese of Bridgeport. He will be sentenced on June 25.
He originally pleaded not guilty in December, but changed his plea on Tuesday.
Monsignor Kevin Wallin of the Diocese of Bridgeport, 2010.
A Connecticut Roman Catholic priest pleaded guilty on Tuesday to selling 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Monsignor Kevin Wallin, the 61-year-old former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, was arrested on Jan. 3, accused of receiving shipments of crystal meth from a California distributor and selling drugs to an undercover officer six times between September 2012 and January 2013.
According to court documents, Wallin had a crystal meth addiction and sold the drug out of his Waterbury apartment. He also sold drugs from the parking lot of Land of Oz in North Haven, an adult specialty store and smoke shop, that he bought in the fall.
Investigators believe that Wallin bought the store with drug proceeds and might have intended to use it to launder drug money.
On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. In doing so, he admitted to receiving and distributing 1.7 kilograms of meth, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Wallin resigned in 2011 citing health and personal issues and was suspended from public ministry last May by the Diocese of Bridgeport. He will be sentenced on June 25.
He originally pleaded not guilty in December, but changed his plea on Tuesday.