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Kevin Wallin, who last lived in Waterbury, was also sentenced Thursday by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to five years of supervised release.
“Meth is a highly-addictive drug that consumes its user and has ravaged other parts of the country,” said Daly. “Federal, state and local law enforcement continue to work hard to thwart meth distribution and abuse here in Connecticut. The DEA and Connecticut State Police should be commended for disrupting this coast-to-coast meth-trafficking operation.”
Wallin was pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Danbury in the 1990s and later was pastor at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, home of the Bridgeport Diocese. He has been suspended from his duties as a priest, according to the diocese.
“DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating individuals and organizations that distribute methamphetamine in our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael Ferguson. “Methamphetamine is an insidious drug that wreaks havoc in our communities and destroys lives.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force uncovered the drug ring.
The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of meth, surveillance and an undercover officer, revealed that Chad McCluskey and his girlfriend, Kristen Laschober, of California, sent shipments of meth to Wallin for about four years. Wallin then distributed the drug to other dealers and also sold it to his own customers.
For a time, Wallin was receiving 1 to 3 pounds of meth from McCluskey and Laschober on a monthly basis. On six occasions from September 2012 to January 2013, Wallin sold meth to the undercover officer.
He has been detained since his arrest Jan. 3, 2013. A search of his residence turned up meth, drug paraphernalia and drug-packaging materials.
On April 2, 2013, Wallin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
After pleading guilty to the same charge, McCluskey was sentenced to a prison term of 65 months and Laschober to 60 months.
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