UAF Catholic Priest arrested on drugs, weapons charges

  • By Associated Press
  • Thursday, March 27, 2014 10:55pm
  • News

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest who serves the University of Alaska Fairbanks was spotted driving into the oncoming lane of the Parks Highway and charged with driving under the influence, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Father Sean P. Thomson, 52, is also charged with misdemeanor weapons and drug counts.

Thomson remains a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks, said Ronnie Rosenberg, legal coordinator and director of human resources for the diocese. Thomson has been placed on administrative leave, Rosenberg said.

Thomson pleaded not guilty at arraignment. He is free on $5,000 bail. According to a criminal complaint, a trooper on Monday stopped Thomson at Mile 228 Parks Highway near McKinley Village about 134 miles south of Fairbanks.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The complaint filed by Trooper Christopher Bitz said the officer noticed a blue pickup speeding at 79 mph in a 65-mph zone. The truck was weaving and had crossed the centerline, Bitz said.

Bitz said Thomson seemed disoriented. The officer asked for his vehicle registration and Thomson instead handed him a receipt. Bitz asked if he was carrying any weapons, the complaint said.

Thomson reported a .357-caliber handgun in the back seat but not a 9mm pistol he carried in his back pocket, Bitz said. Another pocket revealed a bag with a small quantity of marijuana, Bitz said.

Thomson blew into a hand-held breath alcohol test machine and it recorded a breath-alcohol content of .247 percent, Bitz said. The legal standard for intoxication is .08 percent.

At the Healy trooper post, Thomson refused to take a second breath analysis test with equipment considered to be more accurate because, “(he) said he was drunk and did not feel the test was necessary,” Bitz wrote.

Thomson was charged with DUI, refusal to take a chemical alcohol test and drugs misconduct. He also was charged with possession of a firearm while intoxicated and failing to immediately inform troopers he was carrying a firearm.

More in News

Attorneys Eric Derleth and Dan Strigle speak to Superior Court Judge Kelly Lawson during the opening arguments of State of Alaska v. Nathan Erfurth at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opening arguments offered in Erfurth trial

The trial is set to continue for around two weeks, into early August.

Evacuees in Seward, Alaska, walk along Adams Street following a tsunami warning on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory

An all clear was issued for Kachemak Bay communities at 1:48 p.m. by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management.

The Ninilchik River on May 18, 2019, in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Ninilchik River to remain closed to king salmon fishing

It was an “error in regulation” that would have opened the Ninilchik River to king salmon fishing on Wednesday.

A table used by parties to a case sits empty in Courtroom 4 of the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nikiski woman sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 drug death

Lawana Barker was sentenced for her role in the 2023 death of Michael Rodgers.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seward resident arrested after Monday night police pursuit

Troopers say she led them on a high-speed chase on Kalifornsky Beach Road for around 7 miles.

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Lisa Gabriel unfurls a set beach seine during a test fishery for the gear near Clam Gulch, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seine test fishery continues after board of fish calls for more data

The east side setnet fishery has been entirely closed in recent years to protect Kenai River king salmon

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in