Former Science Teacher Sentenced for Trying to Pay for Sex with Children: 'The Younger the Better'

Mar. 15, 2025

Man texting on a phone.Photo:Getty

Getty

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

A Department of Justicepress releasesaid former University City High School science teacherSean Stevensonwas sentenced Thursday, Sept. 5, after pleading guilty on June 13.

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.”

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 localCNSin San Diego.

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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.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com