Jessica Lawson, a 36-year-old educator from Idaho, has been sentenced to a prison term ranging from two to 20 years after admitting guilt to two counts of sexual battery involving a minor. The ruling was delivered by Senior District Judge Stephen Dunn, who also ordered Lawson to participate in sex offender treatment during her time in prison. Upon her release, she will be mandated to register as a sex offender.
The plea agreement led to the dismissal of two charges of felony rape of a minor, along with charges of felony delivery of a controlled substance and misdemeanor dispensing alcohol to a minor. Lawson was taken into custody in November 2023 after a traffic stop revealed an underage individual operating her vehicle due to her intoxicated state.
Idaho Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen underscored the gravity of the offenses during the sentencing hearing. Allen recounted how Lawson, then 36, had an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, whom she picked up from his home without his parents’ awareness. The pair then went to her home, where they drank alcohol and engaged in sexual activities.
Lawson’s defense attorney, Allen Browning, addressed the court, stating that his client wished to express her apologies to the victim and accepted that her prison sentence was warranted.
The case was brought to light on November 6, 2023, when Lawson’s vehicle was pulled over due to faulty taillights. The situation took a turn when police found the underage boy driving the vehicle with the inebriated Lawson in the passenger seat. The boy later disclosed to authorities that Lawson had supplied him with marijuana that night while she drank alcohol. He also revealed that they had engaged in sexual activities.
Lawson had reached out to the boy’s parents that night, confessing to giving him alcohol at her home, but did not admit to supplying him with marijuana or engaging in sexual acts with him. Initially, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the sentencing, Lawson expressed regret 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.