Former Teacher's Aide Charged with Heroin Possession

Brad Washburn, 31, of Bethlehem, has been charged with heroin possession by South Whitehall police after reportedly being found asleep in his car in the 5000 block of Tilghman Street, at 9:34 p.m. on May 25.

The Morning Call reported that Washburn, a former teacher's aide and wrestling coach in the Bangor Area School District, was allegedly found with seven bags of heroin and a syringe on his lap.

Washburn's preliminary hearing on the charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphenalia had been continued in early June, according to court records.

At the time of the arrest, Washburn was on probation for supplying drugs and alcohol to teenagers at Bangor Area High School, according to The Morning Call. He had been with Bangor High School biology teacher Gina Riso when she overdosed on heroin at his apartment in late 2009, the paper said.