Ex-Pa. wrestling coach faces drug charges

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A former eastern Pennsylvania high school wrestling coach who was with a biology teacher when she died of a heroin overdose last year has pleaded guilty to three drug charges.

Thirty-year-old Brad Washburn pleaded guilty today in Lehigh County Court to misdemeanor possession of heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He will be sentenced next month.

Police said Washburn called 911 in December and said 24-year-old biology teacher Gina Riso had taken heroin and was “probably dead” in his west Bethlehem apartment. Police said the two worked together at Bangor Area High School, where Washburn was a teacher’s aide and wrestling coach before health issues forced him to resign in May 2009.

Washburn is not facing any charges related to her death.

Defense attorney Mark Sigmon said five other charges were dropped today as part of a plea deal.