A California man has been sentenced to five years and five months in prison for supplying crystal meth to a former Bridgeport priest, who is accused of running a drug operation.
According to court documents, former Msg. Kevin Wallin, 61, had a crystal meth addiction and sold the drug out of his Waterbury apartment as well as the parking lot of Land of Oz in North Haven, an adult specialty store and smoke shop that he bought.
Drug Enforcement Agents in New Haven started investigating in July 2012 after New York drug investigators contacted them to look into a Connecticut-based drug trafficker distributing crystal meth in the Tri-state are.
Chad McCluskey, 44, of San Clemente, California, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and sentenced on Wednesday.
McCluskey and his girlfriend, Kristen Laschober of Laguna Niguel, California, were arrested in Las Vegas on Jan. 10, 2013. On April 18, 2013, they both pleaded guilty last year to drug conspiracy charges for supplying four pounds of meth to Wallin of Waterbury. Laschober awaits sentencing.
Federal prosecutors said the couple sent between one and three pounds of meth to Wallin on a monthy basis for around four years.
Prosecutors were looking for an eight-year sentence, while McCluskey's defense team is sought a five-year sentence.
Wallin resigned as pastor of Bridgeport's St. Augustine Parish in June 2011 after nine years.
According to the Diocese of Bridgeport, Wallin, told parishioners "that he was struggling with a number of health and personal issues" and he was granted a sabbatical.
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"During his sabbatical, the Diocese became concerned about Msgr. Wallin's well-being and have continued to reach out to him," the Diocese wrote in a statement. "To date, he has not spoken directly with diocesan officials."
