Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

OC Couple Accused Of Shipping Meth To Connecticut Priest Who Laundered Money Through Sex Shop

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

A meth ring that headed up by the now-infamous "Monsignor Meth" in Connecticut got its supply from a couple in Orange County.

Msgr. Kevin Wallin of Connecticut was arrested on suspicion of selling meth and laundering money through a sex shop that he purchased not long after he resigned from the priesthood two years ago, according to the New York Daily News. A federal indictment with conspiracy to distribute meth also named Chad McCluskey, 43, of San Clemente and Kristen Laschober, 47, of Laguna Nigel, as well as Wallin and two other men in Connecticut.

The OC couple allegedly shipped meth across the country six times between September and January. The OC Weekly notes that McCluskey describes himself in his social media profiles as working in "global distribution" for Pure Chip and describes his girlfriend Laschober as a "wardrobe consultant." They look like any other couple from coastal Orange County. The pair were arrested in Las Vegas on January 10—a week after Wallin. The U.S. Attorney's office said Wallin sold meth to undercover officers six times.

Most of the seedy details about the meth ring are on the Connecticut side. The Roman Catholic Diocese says that there's no evidence that Wallin was selling drugs while he was a priest, but they did not approve of his alleged cross-dressing and his having sex in the rectory.

Related:
"Monsignor Meth": Connecticut Priest Arrested In Meth Ring

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today