LEXINGTON, Ky.–A Lexington man previously sentenced to 17 years in prison for his involvement in a high-speed police chase that left two people dead is once again facing serious criminal charges. Keenan “Chief” McLaughlin, 33, was arrested on October 24 after law enforcement allegedly found large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, firearms, and drug-processing equipment at his residence, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Monday in the Eastern District of Kentucky.
The investigation came to a head last week when officers executed a search warrant at McLaughlin’s home. Inside, investigators reportedly uncovered approximately nine pounds of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl, multiple firearms—some of which were confirmed as stolen and one defaced—hydraulic presses, digital scales, and other equipment believed to be used in the processing and packaging of controlled substances.
McLaughlin, who was convicted nearly a decade ago for a deadly crash following a police pursuit, was out on parole following his 2015 sentencing. In that case, he was fleeing a Scott County sheriff’s deputy in January 2014 when his vehicle collided with another car, resulting in the deaths of Luis Gonzalez, 62, and Geneva Rose Spencer, 38. McLaughlin was convicted on two counts of second-degree manslaughter, in addition to charges of drug trafficking and possession at the time.