PONTIAC, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – An undercover sex sting operation resulted in very little jail time for 37-year-old Steven Stec from Dearborn Heights who pleaded guilty to accosting, enticing or soliciting a child for immoral purposes. He was reported to have been arranging a meeting with a girl who he thought was 15-years-old but was actually an undercover police officer.

The Oakland Press reports that Stec recently pleaded guilty to the above charge and in the deal he made with prosecutors, the charges of using a computer to commit a crime and possessing child sexually abusive material, were dropped, both 20 year felonies.

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Stec had faced up to four years in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting who he though was a minor, but Oakland County Circuit Judge Jacob James Cunningham instead sentenced him to only six days in jail with credit for six days served, followed by three years probation. Stec can also have no contact with anyone who is 17 years old or younger (except his daughter) and must participate in mental health treatment.

Stec had been arrested in Waterford Twp. in April where police say he had been hoping to meet up with a teen girl for sex after setting it up online. Instead of the 15-year-old girl, police were waiting for him instead. After being arrested, he posted bond and was released.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard had said at the time, “Any sex predator who seeks to target children will be targeted by our special investigation unit and brought to the bar of justice. We will do all in our power to protect children and hold predators to account.”

However, the justice and protection that Sheriff Bouchard had promised, some would say, did not come to fruition because of Judge Cunningham’s sentencing of Stec.

Judge Cunningham made what could be considered another controversial decision this year regarding children. In December of 2022, he ruled that Michigan’s FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) law for individuals and the media to obtain records now has even more exemptions including records kept by public school teachers.

According to Axios, Judge Cunningham had dismissed a FOIA lawsuit that sought teacher lesson plans, assignments and other records related to a class at Rochester High School, History of Ethnic and Gender Studies.

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In March of 2022, a parent in Rochester had sued the Rochester Community School District for denying them records pertaining to an ethnic and gender studies course that was being taught. The lawsuit was filed by the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation on behalf of Carol Beth Litkouhi who has two children attending school in the district.

The lawsuit had stated, “This case deals with a matter of significant public interest, namely, the ability of parents to ensure schools are transparent about the lessons being taught to the children they serve. The need for transparency in this particular area is essential, as it affords parents the opportunity to understand what their children are learning, and to fully engage with local government officials about these lessons. Unfortunately, the District has rejected Plaintiff’s attempts to promote this transparency.”

Litkouchi had said at the time in a press release, “Parents have a right to know what is being taught to our children. It is incredibly disappointing that the district continues to refuse to be transparent and has stonewalled my efforts to learn more about what is being taught in the classroom. Michigan parents deserve better.”

Lori Grein, executive director of strategic communications for the school district, had made no comments when the lawsuit was filed but talked about the course the school was offering. She said, “The diverse curriculum at Rochester Community Schools is designed to develop innovative, self-directed learners who think critically, communicate effectively and persevere to positively impact the world. Rochester Community Schools is committed to cultural proficiency, diversity, equity, inclusion and social-emotional learning for all.”

In his ruling concerning the FOIA case, Judge Cunningham wrote, “Since the court finds public school district teachers are not ‘public bodies,’ therefore their papers and work product are not ‘public records’ under FOIA.”

Cunningham’s ruling in this matter has been appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals.