A Texas school superintendent has been suspended following his arrest in a six-month child sex trafficking sting in Houston, according to authorities.
“The Board of Trustees met today to take immediate action to suspend Superintendent Michael Stevens from his role as Superintendent of Schools. The Board took this action in response to the arrest on Thursday, June 1st, of Mr. Stevens,” the trustees wrote in a press release.
6-Month-Long Underage Sex Sting
Stevens, 47, is accused of sharing naked photos of himself with an undercover investigator who posed as a teen during the six-month-long underage sex sting, according to Rosen.“Stevens, through an undisclosed social media app, began communicating with an undercover officer, whom he believed was a 15-year-old female in Houston, Texas,” Rosen said. “He sent pictures of his private parts and asked for nude videos and images in return. He told the undercover investigator he was at work, and some of his disturbing photos appear to be taken in his office.”
The communication between Stevens and the investigator took place over several months.
“He was actually videotaping himself at his job, at his place of work,” Rosen continued. “He apparently got very comfortable with what he was doing.”
The former educator is married without children but has held positions as coach, principal, and assistant principal in various districts across the state.
“He doesn’t have any children, but he’s been around children his whole career,” Rosen said.
Stevens was arrested at his office and booked into the Harris County Jail in Houston.
The district said it does not believe there is any connection between the allegations against Stevens and students in the district.
“Last and more importantly, the Board is confident that based on all facts known to date, there are no connections between the allegations made against Mr. Stevens and students at Itasca ISD,” the trustees said. “Our students are safe and will continue to thrive and succeed with the dedicated attention and service brought by our outstanding parents and staff.”
Other Arrests
Six other men were also arrested as part of the sting.The suspects included a 27-year-old FedEx worker who believed he was chatting with a 14-year-old.
“He arrived at the undercover location with a pack of condoms,” Rosen said.
The second suspect, a 23-year-old man who believed he was meeting up with a 14-year-old girl, tried to flee when he saw the police at the location.
Another suspect, whose age was not revealed, also arrived at the location with a pack of condoms. He believed he was meeting up with a 16-year-old.
A fourth man, 26, showed up at the undercover meeting spot to have sex with a 15-year-old girl. He also brought condoms.
Another man was arrested with condoms in his pocket. Rosen said he believed he was going to engage in sex acts with a 14-year-old girl.
The sixth man, 41, was arrested for online solicitation of a minor.
“When he was apprehended, our office found 60 pair of used girls’ underwear in his backpack,” Rosen said, adding that he had traveled from Waco, Texas, to meet at the undercover location. Waco is about 190 miles northwest of Houston.
Rosen urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity.
“These cases should be a wake-up call for parents. You must know what your children are doing online. There are apps out there—even on your cell phone—that can help you keep track. We can’t do it alone,” Rosen said. “Predators like the ones we arrested in this sting should scare all of you. Take action and monitor your child’s online activity.”
The sting operation was a joint agency effort between Harris County Authorities and the Humble Police Department.
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