A former high school science teacher was sentenced to ten years in prison this week after pleading guilty to attempting to pay for sex with underage girls.
According to a Department of Justice press release (below), Sean Stevenson, a former science teacher at University City High School, was sentenced on September 5 after pleading guilty on June 13.
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SAN DIEGO – Sean Stevenson, a former high school science teacher at University City High School, was sentenced in federal court today to 120 months in prison for attempting to purchase oral sex from a 16-year-old. Stephenson was still a high school teacher at the time of the offense.
The defendant pleaded guilty on June 13, 2024, to one count of Attempted Enticement of a Minor.
According to the publicly-filed documents in the case, between April 9, 2023, and April 16, 2023, Stevenson used a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) line to negotiate by text message for commercial sex with an individual that went by the name of Kash and who represented to Stevenson that she was 20 years old. From April 15, 2023, through April 16, 2023, Stevenson offered Kash a fee to find a female under the age of 18 for Stevenson. In pertinent part, Stevenson stated to Kash the following:
- “And I don’t suppose you know in[sic] younger girls I could pay u a premium for?”
- “I pay u a finders fee and I pay her”
- “The younger the better.”
- “Just keep it in mind if you come across any high school age girls”
- “Not young enough” (in response to Kash suggesting an 18 year old).
Between October 2, 2023, and October 24, 2023, Stevenson continued to negotiate by text message for commercial sex with an individual he believed to be Kash, but who was actually an undercover officer (UC). When the UC referenced a 16-year-old cousin as being available for commercial sex with Stevenson, he responded “Oh … yes!” and negotiated for the following:
- $150 for a “bbbj” (oral copulation without a condom)
- $100 for manual genital stimulation
- A “car date” (a commercial sex encounter that occurs inside a vehicle)
On October 17, 2023, Stevenson messaged the UC “Do you still have a younger girl?” and again negotiated the exchange of $150 for “bbbj” with the 16-year-old cousin.
On October 23, 2023, Stevenson re-engaged with the UC to confirm he still wanted to meet with the 16-year-old cousin for a commercial sex date. In pertinent part, Stevenson stated the following to the UC:
- “Ok, and $150 for a cardate bbbj. No condom.”
- “Also, can you send a pic of your cousin please?” (lips emoji)
- “Sexy pic”
On October 24, 2023, Stevenson agreed to meet with the 16-year-old cousin for the commercial sex date. The UC provided an address in San Diego, to which Stevenson asked, “what is she wearing?” (in reference to the 16-year-old cousin). Stevenson also renegotiated a fee of $140 for oral sex.
On October 24, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Stevenson arrived at the provided location. Stevenson drove to a parking lot where he had a full, unobstructed view of the meeting location and then drove laps near the location where Stevenson was told the 16-year-old cousin would be arriving. Stevenson was stopped and placed under arrest. During the arrest, $140 cash was located in the driver’s side door storage area of Stevenson’s sports car.
“Mr. Stevenson’s determination to purchase sex acts from a minor is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Thankfully he was caught before harming an actual child. The sentence imposed today reflects the magnitude of our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.”
“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual exploitation will not be tolerated. I’m extremely grateful to our San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force and our federal partners for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe. My office always stands ready to work with our partners across California to fight for our children and for public safety.”
“This case represents another successful collaborative effort by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our law enforcement partners to swiftly identify, investigate and bring to justice individuals that seek to exploit vulnerable populations,” said Chris Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “The defendant was in a position of public trust as a teacher at the time of arrest and law enforcement will not stand for this kind of abuse and misconduct; we are committed to protecting our children and our communities.”
“The San Diego Police Department is a proud member of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force,” said Chief Scott Wahl. “A teacher is meant to protect and nurture students, guiding them with care and respect, but instead, this individual sought to sexually exploit a school-age girl. Thankfully, due to the actions of law enforcement agencies, Stevenson was arrested before a child was victimized. The San Diego Police Department remains committed to protect our youth from the unthinkable.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Ko and Andrew Sherwood.
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An undercover officer arrested Stevenson, 58, in October of last year. According to a June press release from the Department of Justice, Stevenson was arrested for allegedly arranging a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old girl through another person. Instead, Stevenson was texting with an undercover officer who arrested him when they met up.
According to the DOJ, Stevenson texted the undercover officer several incriminating messages, including: “I don’t suppose you know in[sic] younger girls I could pay u a premium for?”; “I pay u a finders fee, and I pay her”; “The younger, the better”; and “Just keep it in mind if you come across any high school age girls.”
According to a June news release from the Justice Department, when the undercover officer suggested Stevenson meet up with an 18-year-old girl, the 58-year-old man responded, “Not young enough.”
Stevenson was investigated after a pimp and sex worker were arrested in a separate case in April 2023, according to court documents reported by NBC San Diego earlier this summer.
According to the Justice Department, Stevenson had $140 in cash in his car when he was arrested last October after arriving for what he believed to be a meeting with the 16-year-old girl.
Stevenson’s release from prison will require him to register as a sex offender and serve a 15-year supervised release, according to the local CNS in San Diego.
Stevenson’s defence attorney, Dana Grimes, wrote in a sentencing memorandum to U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia that the former teacher “is immensely remorseful for his conduct underpinning this case and has accepted the fact that his life as he knew it, including his career and a significant amount of his freedom, is over.”
Stevenson also promised to change, according to CNS.
“I’m horrified by my actions and will gladly participate in any programs that the government deems necessary,” the former high school teacher told the judge during his sentencing. “You will never see me again under these circumstances.”
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to speak with a certified crisis counsellor.
