Newport Beach nightclub security manager charged with selling drugs, false imprisonment after fatal overdose

SANTA ANA — A security guard manager of a Newport Beach nightclub was charged Friday with drug sales following an overdose death at the bar a year ago.
Sean Robert McLaughlin, 43, of Aliso Viejo, was charged with four counts of drug sales, a count of selling ecstasy, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of false imprisonment. He also faces sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on his alleged victims.
McLaughlin was the security manager of American Junkie in Newport Beach when he allegedly sold fentanyl-laced cocaine to four patrons Nov. 18 of last year, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman.
The four victims fell ill, including 25-year-old Ahmed Said, who died.
McLaughlin also was accused of trying to foist ecstasy on a woman at the club on Sept. 18, 2016, prompting the false imprisonment charge, Mestman said.
McLaughlin, who was being held on $500,000 bail, could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted at trial.
Source: Oc Register