Teacher’s aide arrested for alleged drug sales

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- A 22-year-old teacher’s aide at Newport Harbor High

School was arrested late Tuesday for selling drugs to students and

recruiting at least one of them as a dealer, authorities said.

Carl Alfred Johnson of Newport Beach was arrested on suspicion of

providing marijuana to minors and inducing them to sell the drug. Johnson

posted $25,000 bail and will be arraigned next month. If convicted,

Johnson could face up to five years in jail.

Authorities became aware of Johnson’s alleged dealings after an informant

provided them with a tip. He was arrested shortly before 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday at Bonita Creek Park. Police found Johnson sitting in a car with

a 15-year-old boy and about $90 worth of marijuana.

Police believe Johnson approached some of the kids at the park earlier

this year to help him sell marijuana. When the kids said they didn’t know

where to get marijuana, Johnson reportedly made some of them customers

before converting them to dealers. Police couldn’t elaborate about

promises made by Johnson, but he reportedly convinced the kids to peddle

the drugs to other teenagers, authorities said.

Police are investigating whether Johnson actually sold the drugs at

Newport Harbor High while he was working there, and if any other schools

are involved.

“He was in a position of trust that he abused by selling and recruiting

kids in this manner,” said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Mike McDermott.

“This is the guy your parents told you to ignore and say ‘no’ to.”

Authorities added that in one instance, Johnson went to a swim meet at

Corona del Mar High School, where he dropped off a bag of marijuana to a

teenager.

Johnson worked part-time at Newport Harbor High and had been employed

there for several months. Two school administrators contacted late

Wednesday said they hadn’t heard of Johnson or of his arrest, but both

were surprised to learn the news.

Johnson could not be reached for comment.

Police also searched Johnson’s home and found six ounces of marijuana,

psychedelic mushrooms and drug paraphernalia.