Just-divorced former Idaho high school teacher allegedly had sex with teenage designated driver: police
Share and Follow

Months after finalizing a divorce and settling child support with her husband, a 36-year-old Idaho high school teacher was busted for allegedly having sex with a teen boy after police found him at the wheel of her car when she was “too drunk to drive.”

Jessica Lawson now faces two felony counts of rape of a 16- or 17-year-old victim, another felony charge for delivering a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for dispensing alcohol to a minor, per Fremont County Magistrate Court records. 

An officer from the St. Anthony Police Department pulled Lawson’s car over for driving with no visible taillights in the wee hours of Nov. 6, according to the East Idaho News. 

IDAHO SURVIVOR WHO HEARD STRUGGLE BUT DIDN’T CALL COPS FOR HOURS HAS ‘SURVIVOR’S GUILT’: REPORT

Jessica Lawson

Jessica Lawson, 36, is behind bars at Idaho’s Madison County Jail on $250,000 bond and faces felony statutory rape charges for allegedly having sex with a teen boy.  (San Anthony Police Department)

IDAHO MOTHER-SON DUO CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AFTER TRANSPORTING MINOR TO OREGON FOR ABORTION

But Lawson was not in the car, police said. Instead, a teen boy was behind the wheel, and told the officer that the older woman let him drive “due to her being too drunk to drive,” according to court documents reviewed by the news outlet before they were sealed by the court. 

The teen, who also said he smoked marijuana before driving the car, was allegedly driven home by the police officer. 

Later that day, the boy’s parents called the officer back to inform him their son allegedly confessed that Lawson had picked him up around 11 p.m. the night before and taken him to her St. Anthony home, according to court documents. 

The boy told his parents that the teacher got drunk and high before they eventually had sex.

Before the parents called the officer, Lawson allegedly called the boy’s mother and admitted that she had given her son alcohol. She also admitted that there was marijuana in her house while he was there, but claimed that the boy didn’t smoke and denied that “anything else had occurred.”

MARRIED HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATOR ACCUSED OF SEX WITH 11-YEAR-OLD

Lawson had just finalized a divorce and split custody agreement with her husband in May, months before the teen was pulled over driving her car Nov. 6. (Jessica Lawson/Facebook)

FORMER EDITOR OF LIBERAL NEWS OUTLET CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

A warrant was issued for Lawson’s arrest on Nov. 13, per court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital, and a no-contact order was issued on the victim’s behalf.

It is unclear whether the teacher, who taught at South Fremont High School between August 2021 and June 2023, ever taught the boy before the incident. 

Fox News Digital could not reach the school for comment — it is unclear why her employment there ended. 

According to Fremont County Magistrate Court filings reviewed by Fox News Digital, Lawson’s divorce from her husband and child custody agreement for their multiple minor children were finalized in May. Lawson apparently retained her ex-husband’s surname. 

South Fremont High School

It is unclear whether the teacher, who taught at South Fremont High School in St. Anthony, Idaho, between August 2021 and June 2023, had the boy in her class before the incident.  (Google Maps)

In February of this year, about a month after divorce proceedings began, Lawson posted a passage from a book about “occasions where placing an out-of-order sign across your heart seemed the wisest decision to make” but “you didn’t.”

 “Instead you kept your heart open, invited people in,” the passage read. “And even when they were reckless, messy, and selfish, you chose to remain open… I am in awe of you: an open prairie among an ever-changing cycle of wind.” 

Lawson is currently incarcerated at the Madison County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The former teacher could face life behind bars if she is convicted on all counts. 

The former teacher’s attorney, Allen Harry Browning, told Fox News Digital the prescribed bail amount was “excessive,” and that a bond reduction hearing was imminent. 

“I haven’t seen bond that high on anyone but either a murder suspect or an international drug cartel person — $250,000 is something you don’t see unless somebody’s potentially a danger to the community and this person doesn’t pose a danger to anybody,” Browning said Thursday. “I’ve been doing this for 42 years now, and I’ve never seen a bond this high for a man or woman in a similar case.” 

“You don’t get a bond that high for a violent rape at knifepoint,” Browning added.

Lawson, he said, intends to plead not guilty. Her preliminary court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 27, according to online records. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Blade Tidwell sharper in second Mets' spot start despite little notice

Improved performance from Blade Tidwell in his second start for the Mets, despite short notice

PHILADELPHIA — After a rainout in Syracuse, Blade Tidwell was finished for…
The $25M sale that put a quiet East Coast beach town on the map

How a $25M sale transformed a tranquil beach town on the East Coast

A sleepy seaside community in New Jersey is getting attention after the…
Israel says it killed Iranian commander who helped fund, arm Hamas

Israel says it killed Iranian commander who helped fund, arm Hamas

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Israel Defense Forces…
Nick Kyrgios takes dig at BBC, possible TV replacement: 'Their loss'

Nick Kyrgios criticizes BBC, hints at a potential new TV opportunity: ‘They are missing out’

Nick Kyrgios is apparently competitive on and off the tennis court.  In…
US begins evacuating residents from Israel

Evacuation of US citizens from Israel commences.

President Trump conducted a military operation on Iran’s primary nuclear installation and…
Chicago shooting injures man during fight on Wells Street in River North: CPD

Man injured in shooting during altercation on Wells Street in River North, Chicago: CPD

CHICAGO (WLS) — A 36-year-old man was shot Friday night in River…
JSO: 2 men die after being found shot in shopping plaza on Baymeadows Road

Two men found shot at Baymeadows Road shopping plaza die

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says all parties involved in the incident are…
Fiery hot-air balloon tragedy kills at least 8 people: 'We are in mourning'

Fiery hot-air balloon tragedy kills at least 8 people: ‘We are in mourning’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A hot-air balloon carrying…