Former Arnold man guilty of federal drug charges after high speed chase with toddler in car

A former Arnold man arrested in 2019 after leading police on a high-speed chase and crashing with a toddler in his car was convicted of drug violations in federal court.

Kevin Watson, 32, was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of heroin by a federal jury on Nov. 12 after more than three hours of deliberation, according to prosecutors.

Investigators said Watson had nearly 15,000 stamp bags of the drugs labeled “Blue Magic” with a street value of about $100,000 in his car when he was arrested on April 26, 2019.

On the night he was taken into custody, police only found what they described as a large amount of marijuana and evidence of drug dealing in the vehicle.

The Lincoln Continental that Watson was driving was impounded by state police after the wreck and taken to the Kittanning station.

The fentanyl and heroin were discovered when the impounded car was searched on April 29, police said.

The drugs were packaged into “bricks,” or groups of 50 stamp bags, that were separated into a half-dozen 6-gallon plastic bags found in the trunk of the car, according to prosecutors.

The chase began near Exit 10 of Route 28 at RIDC Park in O’Hara after Watson was pulled over because the tint on the vehicle’s windows was too dark, authorities said.

Police say Watson, who was on state parole for a previous conviction, became combative and refused to comply with police before driving off at a high speed.

Police said there was a toddler strapped into a car seat in the back of the car.

Watson’s vehicle reached speeds of 115 mph before getting off Route 28 at the Tarentum exit, police said.

He lost control of the car after failing to negotiate a right turn onto West Seventh Street and crossed three lanes of oncoming traffic before hitting a utility pole.

After crashing, Watson fled on foot, leaving the child behind, police said.

Two troopers gave chase and caught up to Watson. They had to use a Taser to subdue him, they said.

He was airlifted by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. The 4-year-old boy was shaken up, but not injured, police said. He was taken to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison to be checked out.

No information was available about Watson’s relationship to the boy.

Watson could be sentenced to between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of $10 million.

U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose, who oversaw the trial, has not scheduled a date for Watson’s sentencing.