Students shocked over drug arrest

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Police are continuing their investigation into a

small-time drug operation allegedly run by a high school teacher’s aide,

although authorities are unsure how widespread the activity was.

Carl Johnson, a 22-year-old teacher’s aide at Newport Harbor High School,

was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of selling marijuana to youths and then

recruiting at least one of them as a dealer. When contacted via pager on

Thursday, someone claiming to be Johnson’s “spokesman” deferred any

questions to his attorney, who in turn, was not available for comment.

But there were many people in the community who were stunned to learn

that Johnson, who was highly regarded by some of his colleagues, may have

taken advantage of his authority.

“This came as a total shock to the students and the faculty,” said

Newport Harbor Principal Bob Boies. “‘We’ve had very few drug-related

problems at the school, so to hear that a teacher’s aide may have been

selling stuff to kids is horrible.”

Johnson had been working at the high school part-time, helping students

enrolled in special education classes. He wasn’t certified as a teacher

and was required to undergo a criminal background check that didn’t

reveal any prior offenses.

Despite his arrest Tuesday night, Johnson tried to return to his classes

the following day. He was stopped by school officials and told to return

home. Johnson has been put on administrative leave.

Police are focusing their investigation on Bonita Creek Park, the

supposed hub of Johnson’s dealings. Police said Johnson frequented the

park and tempted youths to try drugs.

Authorities believe he recruited at least one young customer to sell

marijuana to other teenagers.

Police said it appears none of the transactions occurred at Newport

Harbor High or any other school sites. Additional charges may be filed

against Johnson if it is discovered any of his customers were under the

age of 14.

“Under state law, that is a separate offense,” said Newport Beach Police

Sgt. Mike McDermott. “It looks like the park was a fertile ground for his

sales. I don’t think he understands the seriousness of the charges right

now.”

Police found Johnson on Tuesday sitting in a car at the park with a

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

Some students said Johnson was a friendly young man who cared for people

with disabilities. But nearly everyone was surprised to learn he was an

alleged drug dealer in his free time.

“He was a personable guy and seemed really nice,” said Katie Morris, a

Newport Harbor student. “He didn’t seem like the [drug-dealing] type, but

I guess a lot of people have skeletons in their closet.”

School board president Dana Black, whose son is enrolled at Newport

Harbor, said students she spoke with couldn’t picture Johnson.

“They didn’t know anything about him,” Black said. “The general consensus

among them was ‘what a stupid person.’ ”

Little is known about Johnson except that he has worked as a seasonal

lifeguard for the Newport Beach Fire and Marine Department since 1995.

Department officials are unsure if Johnson would return for another

summer, but cautioned they wouldn’t hire anyone suspected of selling

drugs.

“We wouldn’t want an employee working that does those types of things,”

said Lt. Eric Bauer. “We don’t want that kind of notoriety here. We can’t

afford to have our image tarnished.”

Johnson posted $2,500 bail and is awaiting his arraignment, scheduled for

May 10.