HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the filing of criminal charges against the former Crawford County jail warden for soliciting sex from a 17-year-old.
The charges against Timothy Lee Lewis, 54, are the result of an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police. The Office of Attorney General’s Criminal Prosecutions Section is prosecuting the case.
Lewis, the former warden of the Crawford County Correctional Facility, is accused of communicating with the victim through Facebook. On multiple occasions, he asked the victim to meet him at different locations for sex.
The victim was 17 when Lewis first solicited him. Lewis is accused of offering the victim a $500 cash gift as an inducement.
“Adults who prey on our youth for their own gratification will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Whoever the perpetrator is, no one is above the law.”
Lewis, of Meadville, is charged with corruption of minors, indecent assault, promoting prostitution and open lewdness.
The Office of Attorney General prosecuted Lewis and his wife last year for stealing approximately $129,000 from Moose Lodge No. 2505 in East Fairfield Township, Crawford County. Lewis and his wife served in administrative roles at the lodge. The money was stolen during a time when the couple incurred significant gambling losses.
Lewis pleaded guilty to a second-degree felony charge of theft by unlawful taking. He was sentenced to nine to 23 months in prison. He is currently on parole for that offense.
Attorney General Shapiro thanked the Pennsylvania State Police for its work that led to the latest charges filed against Lewis. “The Pennsylvania State Police did exemplary work,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Whether it’s cooperating on breaking up a heroin ring, uncovering a consumer scam, or investigating a child predator, cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement is essential to our work. It helps makes Pennsylvanians safer.”
This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte.
