June 17, 2024 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Sean Stevenson, a former high school science teacher at University City High School, pleaded guilty in federal court last Thursday, admitting that when he was still a teacher, he sought commercial sex with a 16-year-old girl.

Stevenson was arrested in October 2023 when he arrived for what he thought would be a sexual rendezvous with the underage girl. At the time he was unaware that he was communicating online with an undercover agent.

Stevenson’s alleged illicit activity was discovered during another sex trafficking investigation. According to his plea agreement, Stevenson used a voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) line to negotiate by text message for commercial sex with a woman who identified herself as “Kash.”  Stevenson offered Kash a fee to find a female under the age of 18 for Stevenson. In pertinent part, Stevenson made these statements to Kash via text: “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.” When Kash suggested an 18-year-old girl, Stevenson replied: “Not young enough.”

When Kash was arrested as part of the sex trafficking investigation, an undercover officer continued the online conversation with Stevenson. Believing he was still speaking with Kash, when the undercover officer offered a 16-year-old cousin for commercial sex with Stevenson, he replied: “Oh ... yes!” Stevenson continued to exchange messages with the undercover officer, negotiating $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). The exchange continued, with Stevenson stating, “Ok. Well I’m interested in her for sure!” He asked for a “sexy pic,” negotiated a $140 fee and arranged to meet up.

On October 24, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Stevenson arrived at the pre-arranged meet up location. He drove to a parking lot where he had a full unobstructed view of the meeting location. He then drove laps around a nearby apartment complex where he expected to meet the 16-year-old. Stevenson was stopped by law enforcement officials and placed under arrest. During the arrest, $140 was located in the driver’s side door storage area of Stevenson’s Mazda Miata.

“Instead of a protector, this teacher became a predator,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “These despicable acts betray the trust of students, parents, and the entire community. Yet through swift justice in this case we have continued to protect children from being exploited, trafficked, and abused.”

“Mr. Stevenson was a trusted member of the community who preyed upon our most vulnerable youth,” said Christopher Davis, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “HSI is fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to rescue victims and aggressively investigate allegations of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. We encourage anyone who has information related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children to report it to law enforcement immediately.”

Stevenson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 5, 2024, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Derek Ko and Andrew Sherwood.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers (888-580-8477) and the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888).

DEFENDANTS                                Case Number            

Sean Stevenson                              Age: 58                             San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Attempted Enticement of a Minor – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2422(b)

Maximum penalty: Life in prison, 10-year mandatory minimum

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force