Itasca, TX (WBAP/KLIF) – The Itasca ISD School Board voted [Monday] to suspend Superintendent Michael Stephens following his arrest last week in connection with a months long undercover online child sex sting. Itasca ISD’s Keith Boles will assume the role beginning tomorrow. He previously served as interim superintendent.
The 47-year old Stephens was arrested Thursday June 1st outside Itasca High School and charged with online solicitation of a minor. The sting operation initiated in Harris County also netted 6 other arrests, including a FedEx worker.
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said “all of the suspects were online looking for children.” As for Stephen’s, Rosen said that he unwittingly sent naked photos and videos to an undercover officer posing as a 15-year old girl. He had allegedly planned to travel to Houston to meet her for sex. Rosen also said that Stephens sent the photos and videos from his job. He also allegedly asked the girl to leaver her classroom and go into a restroom stall to sent nakad images and photos.
Stephens, who has served in officials positions in school districts across Texas, including Mesquite, is married with no children. According to court documents Stephens was allegedly willing to divorce his wife if the teen’s mother was willing to marry him which would give him access to the girl.
(Copyright 2023 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This report contains material from WFAA-TV.)
