CALIFORNIA
The Orange County Register
By CLAUDIA KOERNER / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Two Orange County residents, a former priest and two other men were indicted Tuesday in connection with trafficking methamphetamine between California and Connecticut.
A grand jury in Bridgeport, Conn., indicted 43-year-old San Clemente resident Chad McCluskey and 47-year-old Kristen Laschober of Laguna Niguel on charges of conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing the drug as well as 50 grams of the drug itself. The grand jury also charged Kenneth Devries, 52, of Waterbury, Conn., Michael Nelson, 40, of Manchester, Conn., and 61-year-old Msgr. Kevin Wallin, formerly of the Diocese of Bridgeport in Connecticut. If convicted of the conspiracy charges, the five face sentences of 10 years to life in prison.
According to a statement from the Bridgeport Diocese, Wallin served as pastor of St. Augustine Parish for nine years before he resigned in June 2011 citing personal and health issues. The church granted him a sabbatical, but officials became concerned when they could not reach him. Parishioners knew him as a “gifted, accomplished and compassionate priest,” according to the statement.
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