Pieper Lewis GoFundMe raises over $300,000 as teen is ordered to pay restitution for killing alleged abuser

Less than 48 hours after Pieper Lewis was sentenced to five years of probation for killing her alleged abuser, a GoFundMe campaign was set up to help the 17-year-old Iowa teen pay $150,000 in restitution fees. As of September 14, Wednesday, the crowdfunding page raised over $300,000, an amount greater than the restitution cap set by the judge.

According to Iowa law, the person responsible for the death of another is liable to pay the victim's estate a minimum restitution amount of $150,000.

According to multiple reports, Pieper Lewis, who fell prey to human trafficking at the age of 15, killed 37-year-old Zachary Brooks, after he drugged and assaulted her in 2020.

Lewis was initially charged with first-degree murder. Last year, the teen pleaded guilty to the charges. A year later, on September 13, 2022, Polk County District Judge David M. Porter sentenced Lewis to five years of probation and a deferred judgement. The judgement stated that Lewis' criminal record will be expunged if she follows all the the terms of her probation.

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Pieper Lewis' GoFundMe campaign raised funds from over 8000 people

As of early Thursday morning, September 15, more than 8000 people have contributed towards Pieper Lewis' GoFundMe campaign, which was set up by her former math teacher, Leland Schipper, to help Pieper rebuild her life.

According to a statement on Lewis’s GoFundMe page, the money will reportedly go towards paying her restitution fees, and the excess amount will help fund Lewis' college education. It will also help her financially to start her own business. Moreover, the excess funds will be contributed towards helping other victims of trafficking.

The statement from the crowdfunding campaign mentions:

“Piper wants to go to college, she wants to create art, and she wants to advocate for other girls who find themselves in situations like she endured. She does not deserve a massive debt looming over her, holding her back from pursuing her ambitions.”

Lewis reportedly got her GED while awaiting sentencing at the detention center. At the moment, Lewis' attorneys are trying to ascertain if the raised funds can be used to pay off restitution fees without violating the law, but they remain confident that it will be a great financial nest for the teen, allowing her to focus on future endeavors, as reported by the Des Moines Register.

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Pieper Lewis found herself in another abusive home after running away from her own

Pieper Lewis, aged 15, ran away from her abusive home, only to be taken in by a trafficker who sold her to Zachary Brooks in 2020.

Brooks reportedly incapacitated Lewis by drugging her and then proceeded to assault the young victim at his apartment. When Lewis tried to escape, she was brought back at knifepoint and forced to endure more abuse at Brooks' hands.

In retaliation, Lewis reportedly stabbed Brooks 30 times while he was asleep.

According to CBS News, many states in the U.S. grant criminal immunity to young victims of trafficking. However, the state of Iowa does not adhere to this law.

During the court hearing on Tuesday, September 13, Pieper Lewis reportedly made an impassioned statement in front of the judge, which described in horrific detail the abuse she had to endure while she was being held captive by her abuser.

Lewis also expressed remorse for her actions. In a statement to the court, she said:

"As I grow and change as a young woman, I feel for the victim's family. I wish what happened never did. And I truly feel that way."

Lewis will stay at the Fresh Start Women's Center in Des Moines while serving her five years probation, as per CBS News.