Pocono News Section

Priest Busted For Buying Cocaine

Priest Busted For Buying Cocaine - Friday, February 12, 2010 at 10:16PM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Friday, Feb 12, 2010 @ 10:16pm EST
SCOTT TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A PRIEST IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR REPORTEDLY BUYING COCAINE. ACCORDING TO A LIEUTENANT WITH THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, FATHER JAMES SHIMSKY WAS CAUGHT DURING AN UNDERCOVER DRUG BUST IN THE KENSINGTON SECTION OF PHILADELPHIA ON JANUARY 30TH.

HE'S ACCUSED OF BUYING 8 GRAMS OF COCAINE WITH A STREET VALUE OF ABOUT 80 BUCKS. FATHER SHIMSKY FACES MISDEMEANOR DRUG CHARGES. HE HAS TAKEN A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM HIS ASSIGNMENT AT SAINT JOHN VIANNEY PARISH IN SCOTT TOWNSHIP.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT READS IN PART:
"I can confirm the report about Father Shimsky...
This is an unfortunate situation. We hope it can be
resolved."

Bill Genello
Diocese of Scranton Spokesman

I CAN CONFIRM THE REPORT ABOUT FATHER SHIMSKY. . . THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. WE HOPE IT CAN BE RESOLVED. "

ANOTHER PRIEST HAS BEEN APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES IN FATHER SHIMSKY'S ABSENCE. HE'S DUE BACK IN A PHILADELPHIA COURT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.