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  • 77-Year-Old Substitute Teacher Arrested on Drug Charges 
    Reported by: Matt Molloy

    Monday, Sep 28, 2009 @06:30pm EDT

    He's a church organist, a substitute teacher and according to police a drug dealer. 77-year-old Richard Crooks of Walworth is facing drug possession charges tonight. His arrest came after a two month investigation. As News 8's Matt Molloy reports drugs weren't the only thing police found in his home.

    "He definitely impacted our community. He was traveling to the city of Rochester on a daily basis and bringing drugs back here," said Macedon Police Chief John Colella.

    Colella is talking about 77 year old Richard Crooks, not your average drug dealer say police.

    "It's not out of the ordinary, that's happened in the past. But it's very few and far in between," said Colella.

    Crooks was a church organist and substitute teacher and police say he had another gig, trafficking drugs from Rochester to Wayne County. His arrest comes after a two month investigation that began at a home in Palmyra. Neighbors complained of parties and constant traffic.

    "Through intelligence and talking to other neighbors you garner enough information, " said Palmyra Police Chief David Dalton. Arrested in the Palmyra home were 39 year old William Watson and 37 year old Amy Gruele on drug charges for heroin.

    The investigation eventually led police to the Walworth United Methodist Church where Richard Crooks was living in the parsonage next door. What they found there they say was very disturbing. Cocaine and drug paraphernalia and an extensive collection of pornography. Police are trying to figure out if any of it is child porn.

    "Some of the items found were disturbing to task force agents so at this point we begin the process of having it analyzed forensically and see if any of those images are unlawfully possessed," said Colella.

    I paid a visit to Crooks who was still in his home on church property.

    "I'm instructed by my attorney to say nothing," Crooks told me through the door.

    "At this point nothing surprises us. The information developed in the investigation was that he was basically involved in this trafficking to fuel his habit, crack cocaine addiction," said Colella.

    The pastor for the United Methodist Church in Walworth tells News 8 the congregation is saddened by Crooks' arrest. A parish committee will review the allegations against him and take any action based on church policies.

    As for his work as a substitute teacher. The Palmyra-Macedon school district says Crooks did work for the school in the past. The district has notified the state education department.
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