A former Utah teacher convicted of sexual abuse of a student was arrested this month for probation violation as well as charges of drug distribution.
Drug distribution charges
29 year old Sarah Lindsay Lewis, a former Spanish Fork high school teacher arrested last year for unlawful sexual activity with a minor was arrested again; this time for dealing methamphetamine out of her car. Earlier this month, Lewis was apprehended by the Major Crimes Task Force with drug paraphernalia and enough methamphetamine to generate distribution charges.
Probation violation
Lewis was previously arrested in January 2017 for unlawful sexual activity with one of her students at a high school in Spanish Fork, Utah. Although she is not facing additional sex abuse charges, she was found to be in violation of her probation and sentenced to three days in jail. According to the Utah Department of Corrections all probationers, regardless of what previous crime they were convicted of, are to abide by the standard conditions of probation which include:
• Permitting visits to home, work, and elsewhere;
• Report as directed and stay in Utah and at established residence if ordered to do so;
• Obey all laws;
• Not possess any weapons;
• Permit searches;
• Not associate with others involved in criminal activity;
• Obtain and maintain employment;
• Be cooperative and honest with AP&P;
• Pay supervision fee;
• Submit DNA;
• Comply with curfew;
• Comply with Case Action Plan; and
• “Abstain from the illegal use, possession, control, delivery, production, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances (58-37-2 U.C.A) and submit to tests of breath or body fluids to ensure compliance with the Probation Agreement.”
Penalties for violating probation
There are additional conditions that are added for those convicted of gang related crimes or sex offenses, but the standard conditions apply to all probationers. Those who violate the conditions of their probation may face immediate arrest and a hearing where their probation may be “revoked, modified, continued, or reinstated for all or a portion of the original term” as stated by Utah Code 77-18-1. Those facing probation violations are encouraged to obtain legal defense counsel prior to this hearing where the fate of their probation is decided.