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Jessica Lawson (Saint Anthony Police Department)
A 36-year-old former teacher in Idaho was arrested and charged with two counts of felony rape of a minor after police say they pulled her over during a traffic stop only to find her victim driving because she was allegedly too drunk to do so herself.
Jessica Lawson was arrested on Nov. 6, authorities said. Police pulled her over because the taillights on her vehicle were out, according to local outlet KIFI.
When police approached, they reported finding Lawson in the passenger seat and a 16 or 17-year-old male in the driver seat. The teenager allegedly told police Lawson asked him to drive because she was too drunk.
The teen also reportedly said Lawson had given him marijuana and that he was under the influence of that substance but not alcohol. East Idaho News reported the teen told police Lawson had picked him up from his house where he lives with his parents around 11 p.m., and then they returned to her home where she drank, he smoked marijuana, and they had sex.
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The minor’s parents allegedly received a call from Lawson that night where she allegedly admitted to taking the minor back to her house and plying him with alcohol. She did not admit to anything else, including having sexual contact with the minor.
Lawson worked as a high school teacher in the Freemont County School District from 2021 to the spring of 2023, a spokesperson told Law&Crime on Wednesday. The district had no further comment on the charges of their former employee.
Lawson is detained at the Madison County Jail.
Her bond is set at $50,000. Police said she has been ordered to have no contact with the victim.
It is unclear if Lawson has retained an attorney.
