Monsignor Kevin Wallin, for many years a key cleric in the Diocese of Bridgeport, admitted today in federal court in Hartford that he conspired to distribute almost four pounds of methamphetamine. Under the terms of his plea agreement he could receive between 11 and 14 years when he’s scheduled for sentencing in June. From his plea agreement:
The defendant agrees to plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 846, as alleged in Count One of the indictment. The defendant understands that, to be guilty of this offense, the following essential elements of the offense must be satisfied:
1. A conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, to wit, methamphetamine, existed;
2. The defendant knowingly and intentionally agreed to participate in and did participate in the conspiracy; and,
3. The conspiracy involved 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and this quantity was reasonably foreseeable to the defendant and was within the scope of his agreement.
News release from U.S. Attorney David Fein:
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN WALLIN, 61, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (“meth”).
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of meth, physical surveillance and the use of an undercover officer, revealed that WALLIN received shipments of meth from individuals in California on consignment with the understanding that he would pay his sources with proceeds generated by his distribution of the drug. After receiving the shipments of meth, he distributed the drug to other dealers and sold it to his own customers.
On six occasions between September 2012 and January 2013, WALLIN sold meth to the undercover officer.
In pleading guilty, WALLIN admitted that he received and distributed 1.7 kilograms of meth.
Judge Covello has scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2013, at which time WALLIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life and a fine of up to $10 million.
WALLIN has been detained since his arrest on January 3, 2013. A court-authorized search of WALLIN’s residence on that date revealed meth, drug paraphernalia and drug packaging materials.
Four other individuals have been charged as a result of this investigation and are currently awaiting trial. As to these defendants, U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Patrick Caruso and H. Gordon Hall.
Lock ’em up and throw away the key!
There once was a man of talent and high aspiration. He made a vocational choice to dedicate himself to a priest’s life in the Roman Catholic tradition. Seminary, pastoral duties, talent calling him to assisting first one Bishop and then another, who was promoted to a Cardinal before retirement.
Already elevated by his collar, he was rewarded to earn the title of Monsignor. And then … the life we did not see … life beyond the high-energy, multitasking roles he wore daily, life behind a curtain of secrecy, contradicting his vocational promises, behavior that was “intrinsically disordered” independent of theology, and addicted behavior “on steroids” as he left the collar behind to pursue an entrepreneurial role … pray for him … And where are the “healers” in this human tragedy … and why are they not public as Christ was … and just which text on human resources management do they follow? Time will tell.
Justice served. Fine.
But the Church still has and will have the same problems until they make some serious changes.
The current “model” for what it takes to become a priest is the problem, not these skank-priests … And until the model is changed they will have repeats of this kind of thing, or versions of it … over and over and over again.
I think the new Pope seems decent–he seems to send a nice message … but that is not enough.
The Church has to begin serious talks about:
A. Allowing priests to get married and have sex
B. Allowing women to become priests
It’s simple. Change to model and change who or what keeps coming to the Church to be an authority with power and influence over others. The current brew of cross-dressers, pedophiles, drug dealers and chronic cover-up artists are not currently cutting it. And they are there because the church is the perfect place for someone who feels shameful about who they are to hide in a fall-back career with all expenses paid. Change the model and get healthy people in there who want to be there for the right reasons.
Justice served in this scenario? I guess … for one little man who is part of a much larger problem. Victory for those who love their church and want it to be a great place? Nope.