TEACHER CHARGED WITH MARIJUANA OFFENSES

(Bothell) -- King County prosecutors yesterday charged a Bothell High
School teacher with growing and selling marijuana, and the allegations
shocked teachers and students who know the veteran educator.

Richard Phillip Lewis, a 55-year-old special education teacher, was
also charged with money laundering.

Neither prosecutors nor police referred to any illegal school-related
activities in documents filed with the charges. The Northshore School
District knows of no job-related activities linking Lewis and
marijuana and is conducting its own investigation, spokeswoman Pamela
Steele said.

Lewis, a 28-year district employee, has been placed on paid
administrative leave, even though prosecutors say Lewis is at large.

"He is innocent until proven guilty," Steele said.

Kevin Mumaw, a Bothell High senior and peer tutor, worked with Lewis
in his special education classroom.

"This was totally unexpected," Mumaw said. "We were all shocked. He
was really great with the special ed students -- they loved him."

According to charging papers, police obtained a warrant to search
Lewis' house in Bothell after Bellevue detectives spotted Lewis buying
merchandise from a Bellevue business "frequented by marijuana growers."

Police found 18 mature marijuana plants and a sophisticated
hydroponics (water-growing) system during the Jan. 26 search.

Lewis initially claimed the marijuana was for personal use, then
admitted selling limited quantities, according to charging papers.
Police believe Lewis underestimated the amount of marijuana sold,
because the amount left for personal use would be "forty-three joints
a day," the papers said.

Court documents also cite numerous deposit clips for cash and
neighbors reporting "frequent short-term visitors leaving with plastic
bags in their hands, which is consistent with marijuana
distribution."

An arraignment has been set Feb. 24 in King County Superior Court.
Prosecutors said Lewis has no prior criminal history and are seeking
$10,000 bail. They said he has moved out of his house and "his
whereabouts are unknown."

Colleagues say Lewis, who was divorced years ago, has a grown son and
has been living alone, is "no fugitive."

"People who know Rick are stunned," said Penny Pfiester, a long-time
friend of Lewis and president of the Northshore Education Association,
the teachers' union.

"He is truly a champion for children and has worked to make the world
a better place," she said. "He cares passionately about students and
civil rights and always tried to model that behavior."

Pfiester said Lewis has no record of disciplinary actions. He taught
leadership classes and was the advisor to an anti-discrimination and
- -harassment club -- called "Bothell Against Discrimination" -- that he
helped form several years ago at Bothell High.

Al Haynes, Bothell High School Principal, said each day Lewis taught
up to 35 students, most of them with multiple disabilities. He said
students and colleagues were shocked and "hurt" to learn of his
alleged activities.