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Priest charged with cocaine possession

Philadelphia police announced yesterday that a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Scranton had been charged with possessing a "small quantity" of cocaine. The Rev. James B. Shimsky was arrested Jan. 30 in North Philadelphia.

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Philadelphia police announced yesterday that a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Scranton had been charged with possessing a "small quantity" of cocaine. The Rev. James B. Shimsky was arrested Jan. 30 in North Philadelphia.

Narcotics officers said they saw a man in a silver Jeep Liberty engage in a drug transaction at 10:40 a.m. on the 3300 block of North Fifth Street. When officers stopped the Jeep, police found Shimsky and a small amount of cocaine in the vehicle. Shimsky was charged with possession of narcotics.

The diocese issued this statement: "Father Shimsky is a priest of the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained in 2001, and his most recent assignment was pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Scott Township, Lackawanna County. He has been on a leave of absence since Feb. 1. There is no further comment." - Sam Wood

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