Probation officer charged after women file misconduct claims

CARSON CITY -- A probation officer has been charged with using his position and the threat of jail to get women to undress and to inappropriately touch them.

The 22-count complaint was filed Friday against Aaron Lewis by the Nevada attorney general's office.

The 35-year-old is accused of getting women to undress and touching bodies either under the threat of arrest or a promise to keep their violations to himself.

The Carson City Justice Court complaint charged him with misconduct of a public officer, coercion using physical force, open or gross lewdness, and oppression under color of office.

The claims came from six women, all but one under his supervision, who said the incidents occurred at their homes, the courthouse or his official vehicle.

Lewis said Saturday he couldn't comment on the charges. He referred queries to his attorney, Larry Digesti, who did not immediately return a call.

Most of the women were being supervised for drug convictions and had told family about incidents they said occurred between May and September 2010, according to an arrest affidavit.

Lewis began working for the Carson City Department of Alternative Sentencing in April 2009.

He previously worked for the Nevada Department of Corrections and as a Lyon County sheriff's deputy.

His supervisor, Rory Planeta, said Lewis has been on paid administrative leave since the allegations surfaced in September and will remain on that status until an internal investigation is completed.

In November, a civil lawsuit was filed against Lewis and Carson City on behalf of a 20-year-old Carson City woman who first went to police with the allegations.