LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, Colo. – A former wrestling coach at Trinidad State Junior College is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators say he provided alcohol and marijuana to underage athletes, retaliated against students who reported him, and attempted to interfere with a criminal investigation.
According to an eight-page arrest affidavit from the Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old John Lewis—who previously coached both the men’s and women’s wrestling teams—has been charged with criminal extortion, tampering with a witness or victim, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and providing alcohol to minors.
Investigators say the allegations stem from an incident on January 31, shortly after Lewis left his coaching position at the college. He reportedly invited around 20 student-athletes, ages 17 to 20, to his home for what he described in an email as a “packing party,” promising food and drinks in exchange for help moving.
“Hey y’all – I will buy you pizza/wings and drinks if you’d be willing to come help Vivian and I pack up our house… If there’s something else that would be convincing aside from food and drinks, I’m all ears!” the email stated, according to the affidavit.
Several students later told police that Lewis provided alcohol and marijuana at the gathering, which they consumed. Some also reported inappropriate behavior by the former coach.
Police confronted Lewis at a wrestling match at Trinidad State’s Scott Gym on February 12, escorting him out to prevent a possible confrontation with a concerned parent. That same day, according to the affidavit, Lewis began contacting athletes and urging them to deny that any drugs or alcohol had been at his residence.
One student, identified in court documents as Clara, told investigators that Lewis instructed her to contact others and make sure they would “have his back.”
Further allegations outlined in the affidavit suggest that Lewis retaliated against students who did not comply with his requests. Multiple athletes reported their scholarships were reduced after they spoke out or refused to participate in certain activities. One female athlete claimed her scholarship was cut from $7,000 to $2,000 after she reported Lewis for allowing unauthorized individuals to stay in student dorms.
In addition, the affidavit states Lewis regularly provided and consumed alcohol with students during team road trips, drinking with athletes in their hotel rooms.
Lewis has since relocated to Missouri, where he reportedly took a new coaching position. Authorities in Las Animas County have issued a warrant for his arrest and are working with Missouri law enforcement to take him into custody.
As of now, no court date has been set, and Lewis has not yet been formally arrested.
This case remains under investigation.
