A former science teacher at University City High School was sentenced on Sept. 5 to 10 years in federal prison after he made arrangements to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, not realizing his words on the phone were being recorded by law enforcement.

In a tan prison uniform, Sean Stevenson, 59, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Anthony Battaglia. He pleaded guilty in June to attempted enticement of a minor, a felony.

The offense carries a 10-year minimum sentence, and the maximum term is life. Both his attorney, Dana Grimes, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Ko recommended the 10 years.

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

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

While Stevenson had no prior record, he was charged in this case with possession of two thumb drives that contained images of underage girls in sexually explicit activity, according to court records. That count was dismissed.

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

Kelly Thornton, the U.S. Attorney’s press spokesperson, said late Thursday that federal courts have held that minors depicted in sexual abuse materials “are eligible for restitution” and the victims referred to in this case were those in the images in Stevenson’s possession.

“I’m horrified by my actions and happy to participate in programs,” said Stevenson to the judge. “You will never see me again under these circumstances.”

Battaglia replied that this type of case was in a group of “most distasteful of cases” he had handled.

A transcript of Stevenson’s recorded words to a woman he thought was a prostitute shows him seeking a girl under 18 for oral sex without a condom in 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 set for Oct. 24, 2023, with what Stevenson thought would be with 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 and received credit for nearly a year behind bars. He taught at University City High for nine years and also worked as a coach.

“A teacher is meant to protect and nurture students, guiding them with care and respect, but instead this individual sought to sexually exploit a school-age girl,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl.

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

“Mr. Stevenson 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,” wrote Grimes, his attorney, in sentencing papers.

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

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 favorable 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 in 2014 from Point Loma Nazarene University.

“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Ca. Attorney General Rob Bonta.

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

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

When agents from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force examined the woman’s text and phone messages months later, an agent called Stevenson back and they discussed him meeting up with a 16-year-old girl, according to court records.