Pothead Priest Richard Arko Pleads Guilty

(Summit County, Ohio) According to a story in the Akron Beacon Journal (reg. req'd), Richard Arko, former priest of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, pleaded guilty today to cultivating marijuana and possession of criminal tools. Summit County Common Pleas Judge Patricia A. Cosgrove sentenced him to two years in prison then suspended the sentence and placed him on probation with random drug testing for two years. Arko was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. (See here for previous reporting on Richard Arko.)

In his defense, Arko contended he was growing the marijuana for medicinal purposes and looks forward to the legalization of the drug. Unfortunately, in addition to displaying a sinful disregard for Commandment No. 9, his statements seemed more to rationalize his crimes than to be gestures of contrition.

Chalk Richard Arko up as another statistic on the list of people who have ruined their lives through illegal drug use. Amen.