PRIEST PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CONSPIRACY

Court Records Allege Thomas A. Crandall Dealt Drugs Out Of The Rectory At
St. Rose Of Lima Parish In Milton, Fla.

A Roman Catholic priest with a century of priesthood in his family pleaded
guilty Friday to a federal charge accusing him of dealing so-called club
drugs out of his Florida Panhandle rectory and elsewhere.

Thomas A. Crandall, 47, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in
Pensacola to conspiring with others to possess drugs with intent to sell.
He was arrested Jan. 14 with 900 tablets of Ecstasy and a smaller amount of
methamphetamines.

Ecstasy, a popular drug at marathon "rave parties," nightclubs and rock
concerts, is said to suppress the need to eat, drink, or sleep, enabling
some us ers to endure two-to three-day parties, according to the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration.

While it gets its name from the feelings of euphoria it can induce, it can
cause heart, kidney and brain damage, and is known to produce depression
and anger upon withdrawal.

Court records allege Crandall dealt drugs out of the rectory at St. Rose of
Lima parish in Milton, Fla.

Two months ago, Crandall's parish celebrated his 20 years in the priesthood
and a family history of service in the priesthood that dates back 100 years.

His arrest stunned his parishioners and those who knew him in New Orleans,
where he kept a condominium on Bourbon Street.

"He had such passion for people," said Lily Gregos, assistant manager of a
French Quarter steakhouse where he's been a customer. "I can't believe he'd
sell something like that to a kid that might cause harm to him."

Crandall is facing a five-to 40-year sentence in a federal prison, said
Gayle Kinsley, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Pensacola. He
also faces up to $4 million in fines, a five-year supervised release and a
$100 special monetary assessment.

Sentencing is set for April 17. Crandall has remained in Escambia County
Jail since his arrest.

The U.S. attorney agreed not to recommend a specific sentence, but will
file a motion that could lead to a sentence reduction if Crandall provides
"substantial assistance" in the investigation or prosecution of others,
according to the plea. Crandall agreed to "cooperate fully and truthfully"
with the U.S. attorney's office and at trials and grand juries, according
to a copy of the agreement.

He agreed to forfeit all drug-related assets and waived his right not to
testify against himself.

Meanwhile, the diocese has started an audit of the parish, partly as a
routine procedure as a new priest takes over and partly because of the
serious charge against Crandall, said Monsignor Michael Reed, vice
chancellor of the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese. The diocese has placed
Crandall on administrative suspension.

The diocese issued a statement after hearing that Crandall had pleaded guilty.

"The Catholic community of Northwest Florida continues to grieve and
acknowledge that the actions of Father Crandall have brought great pain and
disappointment to our community of faith," the statement said. "We affirm
the work of law enforcement personnel and the judicial system in addressing
the problem of illegal drugs, which continue to tear away and destroy the
fabric of human life and particularly devastate the lives of loved ones.

"The diocese continues to call all Catholics and men and women of good will
to pray for all those affected by this terrible calamity."

The Rev. Thomas Collins has been appointed temporary administrator of the
Milton parish.