Ex-priest among 5 charged in federal drug probe

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A federal grand jury in Connecticut has indicted a former Roman Catholic priest and four other people in an alleged drug operation involving shipments of methamphetamine from California.

Prosecutors say 61-year-old Kevin Wallin of Waterbury, former pastor at St. Augustine's parish in Bridgeport, received shipments of methamphetamine from California and sold drugs to an undercover officer over the past four months.

The grand jury in Bridgeport indicted the five people Tuesday on drug charges. All five are detained. It's not clear if they have lawyers.

Also charged are Kenneth Devries of Waterbury, Michael Nelson of Manchester, Chad McCluskey of San Clemente, Calif., and Kristen Laschober of Laguna Niguel, Calif.

The Diocese of Bridgeport says Wallin resigned as pastor of St. Augustine's in June 2011, citing health and personal issues.