Hot pursuit ends in drug bust

KC Ray Goodwin

SANTA BARBARA – A wanted parolee led a single sheriff’s officer on a chase from Goleta to Santa Barbara proper early Monday morning, and didn’t go down without a fight.

Just after midnight Monday, a Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputy on routine patrol observed a late model Lexus careening down the streets of Goleta at a high rate of speed. Behind the wheel of the Lexus was KC Ray Goodwin, 38, wanted on a parole violation warrant.

According to sheriff’s spokesman Drew Sugars, “the deputy activated red lights and siren and attempted to conduct a traffic stop,” but the Lexus accelerated, barreling into the southbound lanes of U.S. 101 heading toward Santa Barbara city limits. The pursuing deputy remained in close contact and managed to bring the fleeing Lexus to a stop on the freeway shoulder.

Goodwin immediately exited the vehicle and, as Sugars reported to the media, “physically rushed the deputy” just as he was alighting from his patrol vehicle, whereupon the deputy fired his Taser, sent Goodwin to the ground and brought him forcibly under control.

A search of Goodwin revealed 30 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, two knives and other controlled substances on his person.  He was arrested on the parole violation warrant, and booked into Santa Barbara County jail on additional charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, weapons possession, and evading a peace officer.  He’s currently being held on a no-bail parole hold.