‘Crystal Methodist’ accused of running drug lab FLEES Connecticut court on break after showing up for hearing
- Herbert Miller, 63, pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church, has been charged with dealing crystal meth from his church’s parsonage
- However, the pastor fled from court on Friday and is now wanted by local police for re-arrest
A Connecticut church pastor accused of dealing crystal meth from his church’s rectory fled court Thursday and local police are demanding his rearrest.
Herbert Miller, 63, pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church, was arrested earlier this month after being apprehended by state troopers in Woodbury.
The Reverend attended the Waterbury Superior Court courtroom Friday morning for his arraignment, but left the court during a recess around 10 a.m.
When Miller could not be located, the prosecutor issued another warrant for his arrest.
Miller was stopped by state troopers who saw him operating his vehicle with a suspended registration.
He was found in possession of crystal methamphetamine in both rock and liquid form, the latter of which was discovered in a hypodermic needle ready for injection.
A Connecticut church pastor accused of dealing crystal meth from his church’s parsonage fled court Thursday and local police are demanding his re-arrest
Herbert Miller, 63, pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church, attended Waterbury Superior Court but left the court during a recess around 10 a.m.
Rev. Herbert Miller, 63, was arrested last week for possession of meth in rock and liquid form, as well as several other charges
Miller may have sold meth in exchange for watching gay couples have sex, the New York Post reported.
The allegation was reported by a local outlet, although neither the Post nor the Daily Mail have been able to independently verify the claim.
Police were reportedly tipped off to Miller’s alleged illegal side business and arrested him with the help of a cooperating witness who helped facilitate a drug deal.
Miller, who appears to have joined the Woodbury church as a pastor last July, was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance and use of drug paraphernalia.
He was released on $10,000 bail and was scheduled to appear before a Waterbury Superior Court judge on February 23.
Miller is now expected to return to court on Monday pending the status of his rearrest.
Miller has been removed from the church’s website by his employer — the status of his employment remains unclear — but several of his previously live-streamed sermons remain on the congregation’s YouTube page.
In recent sermons he appears to be missing some of his lower teeth.
Miller has been removed from the church’s website by his employer, but several of his previously live-streamed sermons remain on the congregation’s YouTube page
Miller has been pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church since last July
From 2004 to 2018, he served at Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where he was involved in community social justice projects.
Prior to serving at Woodbury Methodist, Miller served as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Shelton, Connecticut.
Between 2004 and 2018, he served at Park Slope United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where he led the congregation’s popular Sunday Dinner Program, according to the church’s website.
He also oversaw the church’s support for the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011.