A Connecticut pastor is facing drug charges after police reportedly found crystal methamphetamine in the pastor’s car. According to local news station WFSB, police believe the pastor was providing the illegal substance in exchange for watching couples have sex.
Police arrested Herbert Irving Miller, pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church in Woodbury, Connecticut, on Feb. 9, after police found the meth, in both rock and liquid form, in Miller’s car, a state police report states.
Police initially pulled over the 63-year-old pastor because he was driving with a suspended registration and had failed to maintain insurance requirements, the report said.
Police investigated Miller’s car and then discovered the drugs. The liquid meth was in a hypodermic needle prepared for injection, the report said.
Miller was charged with use of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to sell or dispense narcotics, possession of a controlled substance, operating an unregistered vehicle, and operating a vehicle without the minimum insurance, according to the report.
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Miller was appointed pastor of Woodbury United Methodist in July, according to the Connecticut Post. Prior to that, he served as the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Shelton, Connecticut, the Post said.
The website for the Woodbury church had previously displayed Miller’s bio on its leadership page, but the page has been taken down, according to WFSB. Additionally, the church’s Facebook page and YouTube content are no longer accessible.
The Roys Report (TRR) reached out to Woodbury United Methodist for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
However, Woodbury United Methodist gave a statement regarding their pastor to the news site, Patch.
“The news of this unfortunate circumstance was met with reflection, shock and deep sadness. The disease of addiction is a problem that affects so many people, families, and communities,” the statement read.
“To protect the privacy of all concerned and allow a fair and just judicial process to run its course, we cannot out of respect for those who may be harmed and in the interest of doing what’s right, speak to the specifics and circumstances surrounding these allegations.”
Police discovered pastor through local tip
Local police received a tip that Miller was allegedly dealing drugs from his house, which is located next to the pastor’s church, according to WFSB.
Neighbors reported a lot of traffic around Miller’s house, and someone claimed that they saw a meth pipe on the road near the church, WFSB said. They added that investigators believe Miller wanted to see couples have sex in exchange for the drug.
Community members have been shocked by the recent arrest.
“It’s very disappointing for this town,” neighbor Kevin Cuniff told WFSB. “I’ve lived here a long time and it’s hard to believe. It’s hard to believe, to tell you the truth.”
Another neighbor, Cindy Crosby told WFSB that the news made her very sad. “I mean, this is someone you’re supposed to be able to trust and lean on. And they’re supposed to bolster up the community,” she said.
She continued, “I think it’s very disheartening, but people are people. Human beings are human beings, and we can expect those sorts of things anywhere, I guess.”
Miller was released on a $10,000 bond, the police report said, and is set to next appear in court on Feb. 23.
Freelance journalist Liz Lykins writes for WORLD Magazine, Christianity Today, Ministry Watch, and other publications.
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7 Responses
“I think it’s very disheartening, but people are people. Human beings are human beings, and we can expect those sorts of things anywhere, I guess.”
Hmmmmmm….
Guess we just can’t get pastors to quit being so weirdly obsessed with sex. Oh well.
Mixing in the drugs was a new one. Facepalm.
Julie I have loved and supported your ministry for years. I must tell you that I do not think it is needed or helpful to inform your readers about the downfall of every obscure, irrelevant pastor of every little country church. As deeply troubling this episode is to those who attend this church, and maybe this rule area as well, I don’t think it serves your readers the same way that exposing the sordid actions of the celebirty pastors and international ministries (such as Mike Bickle/ ihop Kansas City) that have a major influence on Christianity and even the general public. Just my two cents worth!
Well, here’s two that Julie missed. Jeffrey Forrest and Jeff Berry. Forrest’s wife knew about it but didn’t say anything. Berry’s wife found out from a victim and mentioned it in her divorce proceedings. The perps need to be exposed and the public needs to be educated about the perp’s grooming methods. It points out the need for greater accountability. https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/ex-wife-of-former-abilene-church-worker-described-grooming-tactics-used-to-prey-on-victims
Exactly. Thank you.
And, well done, Julie Roys. Your work is necessary – and hard. Hard things, though, can’t be ignored. Many thanks.
I live about an hour from Woodbury and I was a little dumbfounded when I saw this on local news. A pastor caught in sexual sin is nothing new but, methamphetamine is different and deeply troubling. I hope both he and his victims get help.
And by the way Woodbury is not the sleepy little hamlet you paint it to be. Litchfield county is instead an very affluent area that known as a weekend getaway wealthy New Yorkers. The area has more private schools than cows. Although I doubt very many of those folks are connected to the local Methodist church.
Ouch! This is just a sad, messed up individual…acting very stupidly
Most churches are small and obscure. Articles like this one serve as a warning that vile leadership can infect any church, no matter the size or location, and believers need to remain vigilant wherever they are. They also help dispel the mistaken idea that small churches are necessarily better than larger ones, a misconception that is perhaps exacerbated by the relative paucity of news coverage about problems in smaller churches.
Corrupt leaders should be thoroughly exposed wherever they are found, so that they will hopefully not have an opportunity to abuse another flock, and also to help with the healing of those who are closer to the situation.
Jesus cares about the obscure and isolated, being the Good Shepherd who seeks out the one lost sheep.