Deseret News | Reader comments: Ex-Piute High School coach charged with rape

Reader comments
Ex-Piute High School coach charged with rape

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someone asked | 3:35 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Someone asked on the rankings blogs a couple of weeks ago what had happened to Piute's old coach. Some said he left. It looks like those of you wondering might have the answer as to why.

Anonymous | 4:24 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

I really liked Lawson, seemed like a great guy who had a great family and situation. Too bad...I hope all parties involved make the best of things.

Anonymous | 4:24 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

I can think of a few punishments that are appropriate for this disgusting excuse for a human being. How dare he take advantage of a troubled young woman like that?!

He better hope I don't find him before law enforcement does!

Comments continue below

Dale | 4:57 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

A teacher raping a student and he is out on bail? what am I missing.

dbf | 5:05 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Dale, you're missing: Innocent till proven guilty.

oh no! | 5:13 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Sounds like everybody should have supported vouchers, rarely happens in private schools but sure too often in public schools.
Too bad, I hope he gets punished for his behavior.

Really? | 5:34 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

To Oh No:

Vouchers have nothing to with anything in this situation. You are just upset they didn't pass.

Hey Anonymous | 7:00 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Let him without sin cast the first stone. You make ME sick you better hope I don't find YOU before you find him. Lawson is not some sick old perveted 40 year old. He is still a kid himself! I am so sad this happened he is a good kid. I think he should be responsible for what happened. It is just sad to see him make such a life-changing mistake...you never know what is going on around you. His wife is a sweetie, I feel for her.

Anonymous | 9:03 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Wow, anyone remember the whole innocent till proven guilty mantra? Has he pleaded guilty, and it just wasn't written in the article? Not sayin he didn't do it, and if he did it's loathesome. Just wondering why all the acidity towards someone who hasn't even been tried?

parent of female at piute | 9:07 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

In my opinion hes sorry he got caught, not that he did it. He was given a standing ovation the last day of school after allegations were made by yet another female student, who by the way was sitting meekly and humiliated in the audience. Her case, along with other girls that came forward with complaints, ended up getting swept under the rug. My question as a concerned parent is what the heck was the state and county school board missing then? How can we feel comfortable sending our children to an environment that supports the predator instead of the prey?

Anonymous | 9:11 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

How does giving private schools more money help public schools? Or help a girl not get raped and believe me things happen in private schools the difference is that private schools handle it privately so it doesn't ruin the schools reputation... I attend Juan Diego and they do drug test... There is a reason so many kids pass, they target students they know will pass so that ppl don't think poorly of the school

re: Parent of female | 9:33 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

You pose some good questions. Maybe some changes are in order. I know protecting my kids is my number one priority. Is it in Piute?

anonymous | 10:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

I feel that our school board failed the students and the parents of Piute. Had the proper steps been taken when allegations arose years ago they could have nipped this is the bud. Changes are needed desperatly in Piute and have been needed for years. We have a new superintendent and have elected some new school board members that truley seem to have the best interest of our kids in mind, but those members that sat on the board when this issue got swept under the rug should resign. They know what they did was wrong.

cover , cover , cover | 10:35 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

the parent is always right! This guy was in a position of trust..don't whitewash his actions if they are true..he belongs on the sexual predators site just like the rest of them. You don't have to victumize the victum as society so often does. He supplied the booze , he manipulated the situation so it was premeditated if true. Some times small towns have ways of covering felonious actions done by relatives or names, that has been proven! But no double standards this time to save this man. And I call him a man as my son would never pass this boundary!

anonymous!!! | 11:11 p.m. Feb. 19, 2008

Well well well how the mighty have fallen. All I can say is its about time I am so glad that he is finally going to get what he deserves.

!!!! | 7:48 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008

If the school board and others swept this under the table, I can see lawsuits coming there way!

a old friend | 9:31 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I am a old friend to him and his wife. I feel so bad for his wife I love her and she was so good to him. I hope that he gets what he deserves, because he was a role model to all of the kids in piute and as a coach all over the state. I feel sorry for his wife and hope she finds someone that will take care of her.

to old friend | 9:53 a.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Amen. She too is a victim.

This is America | 1:35 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Hey,
I know lawson, and I'm not saying he did or didn't do it. However, I am saying this. We live in a free country God bless America, and here, Lawson is innocent until the state of Utah can prove beyond reasonable doubt that a rape occured. People have been accused of rape and then later exonorated. It wouldn't be the first time a teenage girl cried wolf about something. So lets all keep the name calling to a minimum until the state of utah proves in a court of law that a rape actually occured. These are mere allegations. A lot of time can pass in 2 years from the time of the alleged act, and the time the girl actually reported it to authorities. Her memory could be a little hazy over what actually happened. Just because the des news has an article on something doesn't make it true. INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. We all deserve a fair trial, and so does Mr. Sweat. Remember that.

WHS | 1:49 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Good post. Lawson was my friend too and I will wait to pass judgement. I've heard different stories from people that work and go to school at Piute, so yeah, I will try not to make assumptions and judgements at this point.

I feel for all those involved, what a mess. Hope his ex-wife and little boy are OK.

Oh please! | 3:42 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

To This is America: The actual problem here is that there have been other allegations made by several different girls. The school administration and board members have continued to sweep things under the rug. Nothing was done until a girl went to authorities last fall. Then he only resigned and nothing was done by the district to prevent him from getting another job anywhere else. This sounds like a different girl has also gone to the authorities. Don't victimize the victim(s) any more.

This is America | 4:18 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

To Oh please:
Listen,
The bottom line here is this. It doesn't matter what district official said what, or who's daughter said what to who, or who was involved in sweeping things under the rug. If people got put into prison over gossip, and someone telling someone else things, and everyones opionion in a small town, then every one of us would be in jail. My point was depicting how great it is that we live in America. lawson is just like every other free citizen right now with all of the rights and priveledges that go along with living in a free country. Unless a jury in a utah court of law says that Lawson committed rape, then he didn't commit rape. The point is that it doesnt matter what you or I think, or anyone living in junction or anywhere else. The only thing that matters is what the court says, and what the jury's decision is. Everything else is a mere allegation and an opinion. Lots of people gossip and make up stories. In america, we can get the real truth in a court of law. Innocent until proven guilty. God bless america.

???? | 4:24 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Does anyone actually have facts? Real facts? Documented facts? Bet if you tried hard you could get them.

RE: This is America | 5:04 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Actually people can be guilty even if it isn't proven. The legal system does the best it can under the guidlines it must follow but to say that were all innocent until proven guilty is a little naive. The people may not win their case but that doesn't mean he didn't do it. Are you one of those that thinks OJ really didn't do it?

First things First | 8:19 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Everybody makes mistakes and geuss what how do we even know that he raped a girl the girl could of got scared and cried wolf. So lets not make up stories until we know that facts

New Rules | 9:15 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Adults Under 25 should not be allowed teach (male and females) at the Junior High school level, and until 30 years old at the High school.

It is to difficult for a 22 year old to keep it prfessional with a 16 year old student.

Time to start looking out for the children.

No brainer | 9:24 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Has anyone ever thought that part of the problem at that school is that a good majority of the teachers and school board are related? the word Nepotism means nothing in that school district. Its either close friends or Family. even the Sherif uses thatt excuse.

old friend of wife | 9:37 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Just really want her (wife) to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers.

To New Rules | 9:39 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Are you aware of the teacher shortage in Utah? You go by those rules and there won't be any teachers. Piute High School has excellent teachers. Don't judge all of them by the actions of one - (who, by the way is not from Piute County).

to New Rules | 10:05 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

That is the most insane idea I have heard. PLEASE do not put all teachers in the category with Mr. Sweat. There are a lot of really great young teachers that are teaching and coaching for all the right reasons.

is it for the right reason? | 10:06 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

The best thing that happened to Piute was electing some new school board members and getting a new superintendent. As for the members that sat on the board when the first allegations were made they should be held accountable, and either step down or be fired. As a taxpayer I have to wonder are they really worried about my childs best interest or more so about the insurance and trips offered to them. Take the insurance away and lets see how many of them want to continue serving on the school board

Confused | 10:12 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

To all of you who are accusing the board and administration of "sweeping this under the rug" surely you have some concrete knowledge of them doing this. Why are you sitting there, doing nothing about this? Doesn't this make you a bystander to afraid to do anything about it? You should be camping on the new Superintendent's door demanding that all of the "sweepers" be fired or removed from their positions immediately. If not, then aren't you just as guilty as them for looking the other way? Tomorrow, please go to Superintendent Yates and demand that the board step down immediately and that the principal be fired! You owe it to your children, to your neighbors, and to yourself. Then you can bring in some people with integrity, people who care about the kids, people who will bring about some changes to a school that sounds like a pretty scary place to send a kid. Please take action and help those students trapped in that awful place.

wow | 10:33 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I think that maybe all the teachers at Piute need to be investigated and see what the heck is really going on

Anonymous | 10:28 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

To so sad: GIRL(S). Not girl. Allegation have came from many many girl(S)!

Don't | 10:33 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

Do the Crime if U Can't Do The Time! Don't DO IT!

Anonymous | 10:37 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

I had the opportunity to mingle with the girls basketball team, their parents, grandparents, teachers, administraters, coaches, band, cheerleaders (pretty much the entire county) last week at girls state basketball. I felt nothing but pride and am saddened to hear the disparaging comments about those who work so hard to teach, coach etc. We have much to be proud of in Piute county and should be celebrating the girls who represented us so well and thanking those ( and there are many,) who influence their lives. In a small community, it is easy to confuse rumor with fact. It is just not possible in this day and age to "sweep serious accusations under a rug" Proper authorities have to be notified and sometimes the wheels of justice move slowly. But, in the end Mr. Sweat will have his day in court. In the meantime, lets not allow his actions to tear our county apart. Lets come together, focus on the many positives that our school and community offer and quit pointing fingers where they shouldnt be pointed.

dont lay blame on the victims | 10:54 p.m. Feb. 20, 2008

It seems as though supporters of this man are trying to knock the character of the girls and attempting to lay partial blame on them. It doesnt matter what these girls did or did not do, this man was a teacher, a respected authority figure that im sure took hours upon hours of classes concerning ethics and code of conduct. This girl that has been brave enough to come forward with her story should not be drug through the mud. Whether or not this was consentual sex, she was underage!! Im pretty sure if I found out a grown man was having sex with my 16 year old I would be pressing charges as well.

New Rules keeping on | 8:06 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

Teaching and coaching has given me a unique perspective on staff/student dating. Many of these situations go unreported.

I have seen it happen far too many times.

Instead of badmouthing those involved, I understand the difficulty. It was something talked about among us teachers after one of our teachers in So. Cal was led out of her classroom in handcuffs because 8 years before she had relations with an 11 year old.

Turs out 8 years later, he had joined the LDS church and was leaving for a mission, and confessed to his Bishop, who called the police.

She lost her family, children and career.

Just previous, the crosstown football coach had been sent to jail. He was a former star quarterback in his second year teaching.

Hey, I'm just looking for ways to protect the children.

(But thanks to all of those who jumped down my throat on that one. -- I just couldn't see anything like that happening if the younger teachers had not been put in that position.)

Oh, and that is still my position. Teacher shortage and all.

Thinking | 8:28 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

It is good this matter has come to a head hopefully some justice will be done (to whomever) Piute pays as much for teachers as anyone else does why can"t they have the best? It is to be hoped that the parents will stick up for the victims and quit blaming everyone. Lets try and fix it

concerned | 8:50 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

If this happened any where else in the State there would be mug shot of them on T.V. immeditialy. not the girls involved we need to protect the kids. hopefully the parents have enough gumption to stick up for the children. often times parents dont want to make waves. so they set back and take it while their kids grow up with lots of problems.

Former T-Bird | 10:24 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

...and now Piute is the laughing stock of the entire Utah education system.

Anonymous | 11:17 a.m. Feb. 21, 2008

High Schools hire a lot of teachers who are not certified or even beginning to get certified. This is because these individuals can coach. There are many that I know of. One school in particular hired an individual who can coach over a certified teacher because they needed a coach! He keeps coaching and teaching and keeps putting off going to school but continues to hold his teaching job. It is sad that our High Schools put sports above academics.

To Former T-Bird | 1:19 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

Touche'.........I feel the same way. Almost makes you think nothing like this has ever happened in any other district. But it HAS. And it will again. No one is immune from bad things happening to them, and all these people who are trashing Piute will have it biting them in the butt eventually.

to interesting stuff | 1:15 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

there has been many people leave piute county because you cant fight the system. some families had to move to save their kids. This is a sin in itself and yes some very good teachers moved on and have done very well and are well respected

phs | 1:23 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

Why does the state keep throwing money into bad teachers do you think our teachers could pass the test that the students have to pass to graduate : ) (NO)

Duh | 1:57 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

To phs and all others who are trashing teachers.
I taught school for 30 years and coached for most of that time. Teaching is a thankless job the only time teachers hear anything is when someone is complaining about something the teacher has done that their spoiled kid didnt like. Coaching is the only other job that I can think of that is more under paid and less appreciated than teachers. To all good teachers I praise you for doing a hard job everyday thank you.

Anonymous | 3:46 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

I know for a fact there were several fathers of young girls who warned Lawson to stay away from their daughters

BISHOP (NOT "A" THE ) | 4:46 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

THIS IS A HOOT, I HAVE BEEN READING THESE "COMMENTS ALL DAY AND I FOUND SOME ENTERTAINMENT IN CIRCLEILLE. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BLAME EVERYBODY, REMEMBER THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM ? DO ANY OF YOU REMEMBER ENGLISH? CHECK YOUR SPELLING, CAPS LOCK ON OR OFF, WHAT WORDS GO WHERE PROPER ENGLISH. HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THOSE THINGS? I HOPE THOSE OF YOU I AM TALKING ABOUT DIDN'T GO TO PIUTE. THIS COULD TURN OUT TO BE A REAL MESS. STOP HIDING BEHIND ANONYMOUS, USE YOUR REAL NAMES, STAND YOUR GROUND OR GO SEARCH E-BAY.

ex Roundtowner | 5:43 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

to: Bishop (not "a" the) What the...? You really need to proof your ranting. I would be embarrassed to have written that. If you are who I think you are...man, now that's FUNNY!

re:To New Rules keeping on | 6:03 p.m. Feb. 21, 2008

Sorry, The whole math thing messed you up... I was talking obout a coach in So. Cal at Eisenhower HS. who was in jail the same time they took away our English teacher.

I'm sorry, I just have seen to many people arrested, way too many swept under the mat, and way, way too many not reported.

I don't know, send the young teacher to elementary for a bit, but when the young 16 year olds flirt with the 23, 24 year old teachers, it's a difficult thing to work with.

Many teachers make it, but too many of the young ones have a rough go of it, male and female.

Personally, I could care less about the predators, and how it afects them, it's the kids, and someone needs to protect them.

A teenager that has relations with an adult has difficulties that affect them, their happiness, and their families for the rest of their lives, and all the self-righteous pontificating won't change the damage that is done.

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