The superintendent for the Itasca Independent School District, located in north Texas near Dallas, has been arrested and charged after authorities say he planned to travel to the Houston area to engage in sexual acts with a 15-year-old.
Michael Stevens has since been charged with online solicitation of a minor.
Along with being the current Itasca ISD superintendent, Stevens, was a former coach, principal, and assistant principal in various school districts in Texas.
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said 47-year-old Stevens started communicating with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl through social media and sent photos of his private parts to her, in addition to requesting she send nude photos and videos of herself in return.
Constable Rosen said some of the images Stevens sent appeared to have been taken in his office while he was at work.
“You must make it a priority to know what your children are doing online,” Constable Rosen said. “As you can see by this sting operation, there are dangerous predators out there grooming our children and can cause great harm.”
Stevens is married with no children and had been with the district since March 2022, according to Rosen.
The Itasca ISD website still has Stevens listed as the superintendent. The district released a statement following Stevens’ arrest.
“On June 1, 2023, the District was contacted by a detective with the Harris County Sherriff’s Department. According to the detective, Superintendent Michael Stevens was taken into custody. Until more facts are confirmed, no further information can be shared. The Board of Trustees will be convening a meeting to review this matter and take appropriate action.”
BREAKING NEWS - Superintendent of Schools arrested today along with 6 other adults by Constable Alan Rosen’s Office and the Humble Police Department - for Online Solicitation of a Minor. Michael Stevens (47yo) is the Itasca ISD superintendent, and former coach, principal and assistant principal in various districts around the state. “You must make it a priority to know what your children are doing online,” Constable Rosen said. “As you can see by this sting operation, there are dangerous predators out there grooming our children and can cause great harm.”Stevens was planning to come to Houston and engage in sex acts with a person he thought was a 15-year-old female. He sent lude photos of himself to an undercover investigator. Thanks to all our law endowment partners who helped with this Internet Crimes Against Children initiative. Humble Police Department Humble ISD Houston Police Department Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Harris County Sheriff's Office Harris County District Attorney's Office Texas City Police Department Spring ISD Police Department/Emergency Management and School Safety Montgomery County Pct. 2 Constable Missouri City Police Department FBI - Houston Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association Roman Forest Police Department Conroe Police Department, Texas Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office @fort bend county district attorney’s office ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION OR CONCERNS ABOUT THESE SUSPECTS ARE URGED TO CALL PCT ONE AT 713-755-7571
Posted by Office of Constable Alan Rosen, Harris County Constable Precinct 1 on Thursday, June 1, 2023
Stevens was one of seven men arrested during the months-long Internet Crimes Against Children Operation conducted by the Harris County Constable Precinct 1 and a number of other law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with additional information is urged to call Precinct One at 713-755-7571.