Prelim set in sexual misconduct case

A preliminary hearing has been set for June 6 and 7 for a suspended Carson City probation officer accused of molesting seven women between November 2009 and September 2010.

More than 20 supporters were on hand at the Carson City Courthouse early Friday morning for Aaron Lewis' first appearance on 25 felony and gross misdemeanor counts of misconduct of a public officer, oppression under color of office, open and gross lewdness and coercion using physical force.

According to court documents, Lewis, 36, was an officer with the Carson City Department of Alternative Sentencing when he allegedly forced the women, most of whom he was supervising for drug arrests, to expose their genitals to him under threat of arrest and purportedly to look for drugs. He allegedly molested the women at their homes, in his vehicle and at the courthouse after hours sometimes while others - including children, parents and other officers - were nearby, but not in sight of the activities.

After a seventh alleged victim was discovered Monday, an amended criminal complaint was filed Thursday by the Nevada Attorney General's Office charging Lewis with eight felony counts of misconduct of a public officer, nine gross misdemeanor counts of oppression under color of office, seven gross misdemeanor counts of open and gross lewdness and one felony count of coercion using physical force.

He has been on paid administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation since September when the allegations first came to light.

On Friday, Lewis' attorney Larry Digesti filed subpoenas requesting Carson City Alternative Sentencing provide records on one of the alleged victims and her co-defendant, that the Carson City Sheriff's Office provide booking and release information on the same victim and co-defendant, information on a case involving another alleged victim, dispatch recordings to include a 911 call from an alleged victim's mother from

8 p.m. Sept. 8 to 2 a.m. Sept. 9, and dispatch recordings for nine dates which coincide with the allegations in the criminal complaint.

Lewis, a married father of two, remains free on his own recognizance.