Rocky Mountain News

HomeNewsLocal News

Mother could face new charges

'Cool mom' a passenger; girl, 14, at wheel in crash

Published September 27, 2005 at midnight

An Arvada woman who plied teens with alcohol, drugs and sex because she wanted to be a "cool mom" now could face additional charges in a rollover car accident Sunday in which a 14-year-old girl was driving.

Silvia Johnson, 40, was supposed to be sentenced Monday afternoon to up to 58 years in prison on 11 charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and misdemeanor sexual assault.

But the hearing was postponed after Johnson and four minors aged 11 to 14 were taken to area hospitals following the accident on Interstate 25 south of Castle Rock. All but the driver had serious injuries.

Jefferson County District Judge Peter Weir issued a bench warrant for Johnson's arrest for failing to appear at the sentencing hearing but stayed the warrant because Johnson was in the hospital.

He set a review hearing for Oct. 6 and refused a request by prosecutor Lori Toll to revoke Johnson's bond until he had further information.

"My client has gone through a great tragedy," Johnson's attorney, Phil Cherner, said after the hearing. "It's a sad day for everyone on both sides of the case."

Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said he was "very surprised and shocked" by the turn that the case had taken.

"I'm very upset about it and very hopeful that all involved in that horrific accident have a speedy recovery," he said. "My understanding is that Silvia Johnson was in the back seat and allegedly a 14-year-old was the driver. That's very upsetting to me, especially considering what her history has been in this case."

The driver was northbound on I-25 about 5:30 p.m. when she lost control of the 2000 Jeep Liberty while trying to change lanes, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Eric Wynn said.

The Jeep crossed all three lanes of traffic, went down an embankment and crossed a service road before rolling end over end, ejecting one passenger, Wynn said.

Only the driver was wearing a seat belt, he said.

In addition to Johnson and the driver, passengers included Johnson's 14-year-old daughter, her 11-year-old son and a 12-year-old boy.

No charges have been filed in the accident, which was under investigation by the state patrol, Wynn said.

But Johnson could face further charges in Douglas County for permitting an underage teen to drive a car, Toll said.

Johnson's $1,000 bond prohibits her from having contact with her children. She was in violation of a restraining order that barred her from having contact with her children because of the Jefferson County case, Toll said.

Johnson pleaded guilty July 25 in the Jefferson County case. She was accused of providing marijuana, methamphetamine and alcohol to eight Arvada West boys, ages 14 to 17, at parties she hosted in her home between the fall of 2003 and September 2004.

Johnson told detectives she had sex with five of the boys.

She told police she wanted to be known as a "cool mom." She also said that she has bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and used methamphetamine to control the symptoms.

Back to Top

Search »