A Catholic Monsignor, already suspended from his duties due to allegations of sexual misconduct, has been indicted on charges for selling almost $9000 in methamphetamines weekly through a nationwide drug ring.
The criminal allegations against Connecticut's Monsignor K.W. resulted in his arrest on January 3. K.W. was relieved of his duties in May 2012. His stipend ended on the day of his arrest.
According to reporters "Msgr. Meth", as K.W. has been nicknamed by some, was due to jet off to London just before he was arrested.
The alleged methamphetamine shipments reportedly were from Connecticut to California.
Since K.W. left the priesthood he bought a specialty store that focused its sales on sex toys and adult videos. It is believed by investigators that the store was used as a vehicle to launder drug money – allegedly the profits counted up to thousands of dollars a week.
K.W. allegedly had sex in the rectory at St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport and was also accused of cross-dressing before he left the church. His new criminal arrest was met with surprise from some parishioners.
M.S.F., a parishioner from St. Augustine, said, "There is an evil invading our world and it has come to our church. This was a work of evil — and I am praying for the monsignor."
T.R., a parishioner from Danbury's Church of St. Peter, commented, "He was so spiritual. His sermons were wonderful. He had such knowledge of theology…" and she couldn't "fathom" the new information.
K.W. was the pastor at the Church of St. Peter beginning in 1996 though to 2002.
K.W. is being represented by a federal public defender. There were a total of five people in the alleged drug ring that were all indicted by a federal grand jury on January 15. Charges against all five include conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Facing up to a 10-year prison sentence, K.W. is currently held in jail without bond, until his arraignment.
The oldest member of the alleged drug ring, K.W., at 61, is joined by K.D., 52; M.N., 40; C.M.,43; and K.L., the only female, 47. All reside either in California or Connecticut.
In June of 2011 K.W. resigned from the Catholic Church due to alleged health and personal issues, according to a statement by the Diocese of Bridgeport. While on sabbatical the church allegedly reached out to K.W. but he failed to respond to church officials.
The diocese issued this statement following K.W.'s arrest, "News of Msgr. (K.W.'s) arrest comes with a sense of shock and concern on the part of the diocese and the many people of Fairfield County who have known him as a gifted, accomplished and compassionate priest. The diocese stands ready to help as it has throughout the past two years. We ask for prayers for Msgr. (K.W.) during the difficult days ahead for him."
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