High school wrestling ref sent Warren teen inappropriate messages

• In January 2026, costs have been filed with the Warren Police Division.
• The referee was suspended by the Michigan Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation.
• A faculty worker was instrumental in charging the referee, Warren police stated.

This story has been up to date with new data.

A highschool wrestling referee is accused of sending inappropriate messages, photos and movies to a teenage woman he encountered whereas refereeing highschool wrestling matches, in line with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Workplace.

Stephen Livings, 43, of Roseville, is charged with soliciting kids for immoral functions and utilizing a pc to commit against the law, each felonies, the workplace stated in a information launch Thursday, Feb. 11.

Livings was arraigned Feb. 6 within the thirty seventh District Court docket in Warren, the place he pleaded not responsible, in line with on-line courtroom data. He was launched on a $10,000 private bond. A possible trigger convention is scheduled for Feb. 19.

“Mr. Livings is a citizen of america of America. As is the precise of each citizen, Mr. Livings is presumed harmless below the legislation. We look ahead to preventing the State’s allegations and can pursue the reality in courtroom,” Livings’ lawyer Donald Andrews wrote in an e mail to the Free Press.

Andrews stated he believes Livings has been relieved of all managerial and/or teaching duties till the matter is resolved.

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Geoff Kimmerly, communications director for the Michigan Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation, stated Livings was suspended as quickly because the MHSAA grew to become conscious of the state of affairs. He didn’t have a particular date when Livings’ suspension started.

Kimmerly stated Livings is an unbiased contractor who’s paid or employed by the faculties when he works occasions. Kimmerly didn’t know which faculties Livings labored for as a referee. He stated Livings has been registered with MHSAA because the 2020-2021 college 12 months.

Kimmerly stated when a recreation official registers with MHSAA for the primary time, they conduct a background test. It additionally conducts background checks on a 3rd of returning recreation officers every year. He stated MHSAA has about 9,500 gaming officers statewide.

“None of our background checks turned up something that pointed our workers to this particular person,” Kimmerly stated.

Lt. John Gajewski of the Warren Police Division stated Livings has not beforehand been criminally charged.

Prosecutors say Livings approached a highschool scholar, tried to acquire her social media data and requested her private questions. On one other event, they stated, he grabbed her cellphone and added his contact data. In keeping with the Public Prosecution Service, he despatched her inappropriate messages, photos and movies.

Gajewski stated the allegations started in January 2026 and Livings is accused of sending inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old Warren woman via a number of generally used social media platforms.

He stated one other celebration notified Warren police of a number of the allegations, prompting the division to work with a college useful resource officer in a Warren college district in early January 2026 to formally launch the investigation. He doesn’t wish to say which college it issues.

“That is proof that the college data system is working,” Gajewski stated, including that the college data officer was instrumental in charging Livings.

Gajewski stated Livings turned himself in. He stated the alleged conduct is “extremely inappropriate” for an grownup to be concerned with a minor, particularly an grownup in authority, and that in reference to a college “it makes it extra disturbing.”

Prosecutor Peter Lucido additionally known as the allegations “disturbing,” including, “Our workplace takes such conduct critically and can search accountability via the authorized system.” We stay dedicated to defending victims and defending the kids in our group.”

Gajewski stated mother and father and guardians ought to discuss to their kids about being cautious with social media. If one thing inappropriate or uncomfortable comes up, report it to somebody you belief, whether or not that is a guardian, instructor or college worker, he stated.

Contact Christina Corridor: chall@freepress.com. Comply with her on X, previously Twitter: @challreporter.

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