An Idaho-based educator, Jessica Lawson, 36, has been sentenced to a prison term of two to 20 years after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual battery of a minor. The sentence was handed down by Senior District Judge Stephen Dunn, who also mandated that Lawson undergo sex offender treatment during her incarceration. Upon her release, she will be required to register as a sex offender.
The plea deal resulted in the dismissal of two charges of felony rape of a minor, as well as charges of felony delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor dispensing alcohol to a minor. Lawson was arrested in November 2023 following a traffic stop where the underage victim was discovered driving her vehicle due to her inebriation.
The severity of the crimes was highlighted by Idaho Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen during the sentencing hearing. Allen detailed how Lawson, then 36, had an illicit sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, picking him up from his home without his parents’ knowledge. The two then proceeded to her residence where they consumed alcohol and engaged in sexual acts.
Lawson’s defense attorney, Allen Browning, also addressed the court, stating that his client wished to apologize to the victim and acknowledged that her prison sentence was just.
The case came to light on November 6, 2023, when Lawson’s vehicle was stopped due to malfunctioning taillights. The situation escalated when police discovered the underage boy driving the vehicle with the intoxicated Lawson in the passenger seat. The boy later revealed to authorities that Lawson had provided him with marijuana that night while she consumed alcohol. He also disclosed that they had engaged in sexual activities.
Lawson had contacted the boy’s parents that night, admitting to giving him alcohol at her home, but did not confess to providing him with marijuana or engaging in sexual acts with him. Initially, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the sentencing, Lawson expressed remorse to the victim and his family, stating, “I alone am responsible for my actions, but I believe (a prior) relationship was the catalyst that set me down the path to where I am today. I want to apologize to the victim and his family for any pain that I have caused. I want to apologize to the community and anyone I’ve let down.”
The victim’s father also spoke, discussing the challenges his family faces in the aftermath of the crime. He revealed that he and his wife had adopted the victim just days before the incident. He expressed concern for his son’s long-term emotional well-being, stating that the full impact of the trauma may not be realized until his son becomes a parent himself.
