PROVO, Utah (AP) — A 27-year-old high school teacher in Spanish Fork who was arrested for alleged sexual activity with a student has now been charged with rape.
Sarah Lewis originally was arrested last week on suspicion of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony.
But The (Provo) Daily Herald reports Judge Christine Johnson subsequently agreed with prosecutors who argued Lewis should be charged with first-degree rape and third-degree witness tampering.
Nebo School District spokeswoman Lana Hiskey says Lewis has been placed on a leave of absence at Landmark alternative high school.
According to court documents, she had sex with a teenage boy at her Payson home after she gave him alcohol and made him promise not to tell anyone.
It’s not clear if Lewis has a lawyer or will be appointed one at her next court appearance scheduled Monday.