Drunk-Driving Alaska Priest Charged With Drugs And Weapons Offenses

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A University of Alaska campus priest had a streak of bad luck when police who pulled him over for drunk driving found a gun hidden in his truck and marijuana stashed in his sweatshirt, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

Rev. Sean Thomson, 52, was stopped on March 24 when trooper Christopher Bitz noticed his pickup truck was weaving across the center line and speeding, according to a criminal complaint. Bitz said a disoriented Thomson handed over a receipt when asked for his registration and failed to mention the 9 mm pistol in his back pocket when asked if he had any weapons, although Thomson did point out a gun in the truck’s back seat.

A breath test also found Thomson’s blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit to drive, according to the Daily News-Miner. The priest then refused to take another, more accurate test because he admitted to being drunk and felt it wasn’t necessary.

Thomson faced a slew of charges: DUI, refusal to take to a chemical alcohol test, drugs misconduct and two counts of weapons misconduct, according to the Daily News-Miner. The coordinator of the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks told the newspaper that Thomson was placed on administrative leave.

Image via Shutterstock / Zerbor

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