Ex-employee of Newport Beach bar charged with selling ecstasy resulting in overdoses

A former security manager at the American Junkie bar and nightclub in Newport Beach was charged Friday with multiple felonies on allegations of sales of ecstasy to bar patrons that resulted in multiple overdoses, including a fatal one in November 2016.

Sean Robert McLaughlin, 43, of Aliso Viejo is charged with felony sale or transportation of a controlled substance, felony sale or transportation of ecstasy and misdemeanor false imprisonment. The charges come with possible sentencing enhancements on allegations of inflicting great bodily injury.

McLaughlin could be sentenced to 16 years in state prison if convicted, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

His arraignment has not been scheduled.

Ahmed Said, 25, of Santa Ana died Nov. 18, 2016, a few hours after he ingested an unknown narcotic at American Junkie at 2406 Newport Blvd. Paramedics were called to the Balboa Peninsula bar at about 1 a.m. after four men lost consciousness inside. Authorities believe the men had overdosed on a narcotic.

An investigation led police to arrest McLaughlin on suspicion of providing the drug to the men, authorities said.

DANIEL LANGHORNE is a contributor to Times Community News.