Former Science Teacher Sentenced: Trying to Pay for Sex with Children

A former science teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to pay for sex with underage girls. 

The Department of Justice said former University City High School science teacher Sean Stevenson was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 5, after he plead guilty on June 13, 2024.

Stevenson, 58, was arrested last October by an undercover officer. Stevenson was arrested after he believed he'd succeeded in setting up a meeting to have sex with a 16-year old girl through another unnamed individual. Instead, the unnamed individual that Stevenson was texting with was actually an undercover officer who arrested him upon meeting up.

The DOJ said that Stevenson had texted the undercover officer a number of 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."

The Justice Department said in its June news release that when the undercover officer suggested an 18-year old girl for Stevenson to meet up with, the 58-year old man replied: "Not young enough."

Authorities began investigating Stevenson following the April 2023 arrest of a pimp and a sex worker in a separate case, NBC San Diego, citing court documents, reported earlier this summer.

According to the Justice Department, Stevenson had $140 in cash with him in his car when he was arrested last October, when he arrived for what he thought would be a meeting with the 16-year old girl.

Once Stevenson is released from prison, he must register as a sex offender and he will be placed on a supervised release for 15 more years, according to local CNS in San Diego.

Stevenson's defense attorney Dana Grimes wrote to U.S. District Judge Anthony Battagliain a sentencing memorandum 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 vowed to change, according to CNS.

"I'm horrified by my actions and I will be happy to participate in any programs that the government deems necessary," the ex-high school teacher told the judge at his sentencing. "You will never see me again under these circumstances."