A federal grand jury has charged a man and woman involved in a deadly Cincinnati police chase back on August 7. An elderly couple in their eighties died after being hit by the suspects’ vehicle.
The indictment charged Mason Meyer, 28 of Cincinnati with:
- methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute
- possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon
Additionally, Campbell County, Kentucky authorities charged Meyer with two counts of murder, endangerment, and fleeing and evading. The fatal accident occurred across the river from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky.
The grand jury charged Kirsten Johnson, 22, of Cincinnati with:
- methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute
- possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
Elderly Couple Killed In Chase
The chase started in Cincinnati. Members of the ATF, Cincinnati Police, and Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force were surveilling Meyer in Cincinnati. When police officers attempted to stop him, he fled. Police chased the vehicle through Cincinnati and across the bridge into Covington and Newport, Ky.
Meyer hit four people with his vehicle. Ray and Gail Laible, a married couple dining on the patio of the Newport restaurant Press on Monmouth died. Both were in their 80s. Mrs. Laible died at the scene. Mr. Laible was pronounced dead at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Two other people suffered minor injuries.
Meth and Guns
Authorities found 50 grams of methamphetamine, two loaded handguns, and a loaded rifle. on Meyer. The Newport Police Department conducted a traffic accident investigation. The Cincinnati Police Department and the Citizens Complaint Authority conducted the administrative investigation of the police chase.
The methamphetamine charge, in this case, is punishable by five to 40 years in prison. Possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison. Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon carries a potential maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.