Idaho teacher sexually assaulted a teen boy and made him drive her car because she was too drunk

Jessica Lawson, a 36-year-old former Idaho teacher, has been sentenced to between two and 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual battery of a child.

The sentencing, which took place on Thursday, also mandates that Lawson attend sex offender treatment, and upon release, she will be required to register as a sex offender.

The plea deal resulted in the dismissal of other charges, including two felony rape counts, delivery of a controlled substance and providing alcohol to a minor.

Lawson was arrested in November 2023 after a traffic stop in which law enforcement found the teenage victim driving her car because she was too intoxicated to drive.

The victim revealed that Lawson had picked him up around 11 p.m. without his parents’ permission, taken him to her home, given him alcohol and marijuana, and then engaged in sexual acts with him. He also told the police that she got so drunk she made him drive, even though he was a little tipsy.

During the sentencing, Idaho Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, noting that Lawson was 36 at the time of the unlawful relationship with the 16-year-old boy.

The boy’s father also delivered a victim impact statement, explaining that his son had recently been adopted and was still healing from the trauma of being in and out of foster care.

He described the long journey ahead for his son, noting that it may take years for him to fully understand the emotional wounds inflicted by the crime.

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During the sentencing hearing, Lawson apologized to the victim and his family, expressing regret for her actions. She acknowledged that she alone was responsible for her actions but also mentioned that a previous relationship had set her on a path that contributed to her current situation.

She apologized to the victim and his family for any pain she had caused and expressed remorse to the community for betraying their trust.