Pastor accused of meth sales fired, officials say
WOODBURY — A local church pastor facing drug charges after state police say they found crystal methamphetamine in the car he was driving has been fired by a conference overseeing Methodist churches in New York and Connecticut, an official said.
The Rev. Herbert Miller has been terminated, said Lisa Isom, director of communications for the New York Annual Conference, a regional unit of the United Methodist churches in Connecticut.
Miller, 63, of Church Street, had been the pastor of the Woodbury United Methodist Church since July, other church leaders said. The address state police listed for Miller on his arrest report is the rectory of the church.
He was arrested last Friday and charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to sell a narcotic, state police said.
According to Connecticut State Police, members of the community alerted the Woodbury resident troopers office of a “suspicious incident” on Feb. 7. Sgt. Christine Jeltema from the state police Media Relations Unit did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged incident.
Then, about noon on Feb. 9 state police pulled over Miller on South Main Street. They said he was driving a car with a registration that had been suspended for failure to maintain the required amount of insurance.
Police said they discovered Miller had methamphetamine on him, in both rock and liquefied forms. The liquid was in a hypodermic needle prepared for injection, state police said.
“The news of the unfortunate circumstance surrounding former pastor, Herbert I. Miller was met with reflection, shock, and deep sadness,” the conference said in a statement issued Thursday. “The disease of addiction is a problem that affects so many people, families, and communities. It is often a traumatic, difficult, and deeply personal journey. 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 the allegations.”
The statement pointed out that within 24 hours of the arrest, NYAC Resident Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton met with church leadership and later Miller to address the allegations and ensure “the safety of the local church and community.”
“Under the advice and direction of the bishop, Mr. Miller surrendered his credentials and is no longer an Elder in the United Methodist Church,” the statement said. “Our prayers are with Mr. Miller, those who love and care for him, and all others impacted by substance abuse and addiction receive the thoughtful care needed to begin recovery, a meaningful healing process, and complete restoration.”
Miller, former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Shelton, was appointed pastor of Woodbury United Methodist Church in July, according to the Shelton church’s new leader, pastor Bill Florin.
The outgoing telephone message at the Woodbury church identified Miller as the pastor as of Monday. His name was removed from the church website, however.
Attempts to contact Miller have been unsuccessful.
Miller was released on a written promise to appear in state Superior Court in Waterbury Feb. 23.
“The news of the unfortunate circumstance surrounding former pastor, Herbert I. Miller was met with reflection, shock, and deep sadness. The disease of addiction is a problem that affects so many people, families, and communities. It is often a traumatic, difficult, and deeply personal journey.
From a statement by the New York Annual Conference