Texas Teacher Arrested for Prostitution

(Cleveland, Texas) A 38-year-old theater teacher and Student Council sponsor at Cleveland High School, Laurie Anne Lewis, was arrested this week for alleged prostitution in downtown Houston. Lewis was apprehended as part of an ongoing undercover operation.

Since Lewis' arrest was part of a continuing investigation, the offense report regarding her arrest has not been made public. But Kerry Cowart, the superintendent of Cleveland ISD said he spoke to Lewis on Friday afternoon and confirmed the allegations.

Cowart said that when he asked if she was arrested for prostitution, Lewis admitted it was true.

Lewis was immediately placed on paid administrative leave pending resolution of the charges.

Lewis was booked and released on $500 cash bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for August 20.


[Update 8/18/08]

According to this report, Laurie Lewis is a divorced mother-of-two, high school teacher whose backpage.com Internet advertisement as a prostitute for $300 caught the attention of undercover detectives.

HPD's vice squad busted Lewis during a prostitution sting at an upscale downtown Houston hotel.

Houston Police Captain Bruce Williams explained, "She was asked to meet the detectives at that location in a specific room number. When she entered that room, the deal was done."

Authorities say Lewis solicited an undercover officer in an online chat room for escorts. She allegedly offered to have sex with the vice officer for $300 when they met up at the Four Seasons Hotel. Police don't think this was her first time, but wouldn't elaborate.

"That, of course, is still under investigation to determine how many times subsequent to this arrest she may have been involved," Capt. Williams said.

Cleveland ISD Superintendent Kerry Coward said, "We are very disappointed."