Scientist Tried to Get Paid to Have Sex With a Girl Who Wasn’t Old Enough. How He Was Caught
Federal charges were brought against a high school science teacher and coach who tried to get paid to have sex with a minor.
A press release from the Department of Justice says Sean Stevenson pleaded guilty on June 13 to a federal count of attempted enticement of a minor. He was arrested by an undercover officer in 2023 for trying to pay someone he thought would set him up with a 16-year-old girl for sex acts.
According to court papers seen by NBC San Diego, Stevenson, 58, was investigated after a pimp and a sex worker were arrested in April 2023 in a separate case.
A woman was arrested in connection with the case, and her phone was searched. Police found text messages from someone offering the woman “a finder’s fee payment… if she could provide him with an underage prostitute,” the DOJ release says.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says Stevenson texted the woman and said, “The younger the better” and “Just keep it in mind if you come across any high school girls.”
A police officer went undercover as the woman in the texts and offered Stevenson sex with a 16-year-old girl she said was her cousin.
“Oh… yes!” Stevenson answered.
Stevenson and the undercover cop talked about how much sex acts would cost. Stevenson said, “Okay.” “Well, I’m definitely interested in her!”
Stevenson was caught on October 24, 2023, while he was meeting the 16-year-old. He had $140 in his car at the time.
In September, he will be given his sentence.
Source: PEOPLE