Former University City High science teacher gets 10 years in prison

A former University City High School science teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Sept. 5 for arranging sex with a 16-year-old girl without knowing his phone calls were being recorded by police.

Wearing a brown jail uniform, Sean Stevenson, 59, appeared before U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia in June to plead guilty to attempted enticement of a minor, a misdemeanor.

The offense carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Both his attorney, Dana Grimes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko recommended the 10 years.

“Mr. Stevenson’s determination to purchase sexual acts from a minor is appalling,” U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement afterward.

“Thankfully he was caught before he harmed a real child,” McGrath added. “The sentence imposed today reflects our commitment to protecting the vulnerable from exploitation.”

Although Stevenson had no prior criminal record, he was charged in this case with possessing two thumb drives containing images of underage girls engaged in sexually explicit activity, according to court records. That charge was dismissed.

Battaglia ordered Stevenson to pay $12,000 to “four victims” without specifying who they were. The attorneys agreed to restitution of $3,000 each.

Kelly Thornton, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office, said Thursday night that federal courts have ruled that minors depicted in sexual abuse material are “eligible for restitution” and that the victims referenced in the case are those in the images in Stevenson’s possession.

“I am appalled by my actions and I am happy to participate in programs,” Stevenson told the judge. “You will never see me again under these circumstances.”

Battaglia responded that such cases were among the “most repulsive cases” he had handled.

A transcript of Stevenson’s recorded words to a woman he believed to be a prostitute shows he was seeking a girl under 18 for oral sex without a condom during a “car date,” which was defined as commercial sexual encounters in a vehicle.

Stevenson had asked for “sexy pics” and “the younger the better.” Various terms were used for manual genital stimulation and oral sex, according to court records. Stevenson agreed to pay $140 for oral sex without a condom and a meeting was scheduled for Oct. 24, 2023, with what Stevenson thought would be a 16-year-old girl.

Instead, Stevenson was arrested and $140 in cash was seized, along with his cell phone and car. He has been in custody ever since, serving nearly a year in prison. He taught at University City High for nine years and also worked as a coach.

“A teacher is supposed to protect and care for students and guide them with care and respect, but instead this individual attempted to sexually exploit a school girl,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.

“The San Diego Police Department remains committed to protecting our youth from the unthinkable,” Wahl added.

“Mr. Stevenson deeply regrets his conduct that gave rise to this case and has accepted the fact that his life as he knew it, including his career and a significant portion of his freedom, is over,” Grimes, his attorney, wrote in the criminal complaint.

“There is no evidence of inappropriate relationships with minors throughout his coaching or teaching career,” Grimes wrote. “He is at low risk of committing a sex offense in the future.”

The judge ordered Stevenson to register as a sex offender in the county where he will live after he is released. His mother was in the audience. Battaglia received several positive letters from people who knew Stevenson.

Stevenson graduated from San Diego State University in 1988, received his teaching credential in 1997, and received his master’s degree in biology from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2014.

“I have a simple message to anyone who targets children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we will go after you,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“Today’s announcement makes it clear that the sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated,” Bonta said.

Stevenson had contacted a prostitute who was arrested in April 2023 and had texted her about contacting “younger girls I could pay a premium for.” When the woman suggested an 18-year-old high school girl, Stevenson responded, “Not young enough.”

When officers with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force examined the woman’s text messages and phone messages months later, an officer called Stevenson back and they arranged for him to meet a 16-year-old girl, court documents state.