Molestation case dropped against ex-probation officer

CARSON CITY -- Prosecutors have decided not to retry a former Carson City probation officer on charges stemming from allegations he molested six women in the course of his duties.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Ronda Clifton told the Reno Gazette-Journal that she dismissed the charges against Aaron Lewis because she did not want the women to be traumatized by testifying at another trial.

She reached the decision two weeks after a jury deadlocked on 19 charges, including misconduct by a public officer, open or gross lewdness, and coercion with physical force.

The 36-year-old Lewis had been charged with using his position and the threat of jail to get women to undress and to inappropriately touch them.