NEWPORT BEACH : College Instructor Faces Drug Charges

A part-time instructor at Coastline Community College was arrested by police on suspicion of selling $8,000 worth of cocaine to undercover officers.

Albert Rizzo III, 39, faces two counts of felony drug sales charges.

Newport Beach officers arrested Rizzo Friday after he tried to sell them eight ounces of cocaine at Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, police Sgt. Andy Gonis said.

Rizzo and the undercover officers had arranged the Huntington Beach meeting after Rizzo sold them one ounce of cocaine on June 1, Gonis said.

Rizzo, who has worked at the college for eight years, teaches students to work with victims of traumatic head injuries.

Coastline officials are discussing with their legal department “what decisions we can make,” public relations director Gail Jones said.

“We are working to get the details of the case and get a copy of the police report,” Jones said. “We will take appropriate actions as quickly as possible.”

Rizzo’s classes are scheduled to meet beginning next week. Jones said the Fountain Valley college hopes to decide within the next few days whether Rizzo will teach them.

Rizzo, a Long Beach resident, could not be reached for comment.