‘Monsignor Meth’ Kevin Wallin Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges
Hartford, CT — Kevin Wallin, the suspended Roman Catholic priest known as “Monsignor Meth,” has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The guilty plea on the drug dealing charge entered today requires a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum of life behind bars under federal guidelines. Sentencing for Monsignor Wallin is scheduled for June 25. A prison term of 11-14 years is expected at that time. He could also be formally removed from the priesthood by the Vatican.
Reportedly Wallin rang up about $300,000 worth of crystal meth deals from his apartment in Waterbury, Conn.
In January, Wallin, 61, was arrested on drug-related charges following an investigation by undercover officers after a tip from an informant. He allegedly sold meth to undercover narcs six times. “Prosecutors said the 61-year-old Wallin had meth mailed to him from co-conspirators in California and sold the drugs out of his Waterbury apartment last year. He also bought an adult video and sex toy shop in North Haven named Land of Oz & Dorothy’s Place, apparently to launder the drug money, authorities said.”
Charges against the other alleged conspirators are pending. Wallin’s arrest shocked the community.
At the time of the arrest, The Connecticut Post reported that the monsignor was suspended from and later resigned his religious duties in 2011 “after church officials discovered he was a cross-dresser who was having sex in the rectory at Bridgeport’s St. Augustine Cathedral.”
The Diocese of Bridgeport release a statement about the events today in Hartford federal court: “Msgr. Wallin’s guilty plea represents an important step in his coming to terms with his own actions and their impact on others. It is a difficult moment for all of us but we hope it is also the first step in rebuilding his life. We pray that he moves toward healing and wholeness.”
Does this tragic situation involving the crystal meth priest sound in any way like it could be on an episode of Breaking Bad?
