A federal jury in Sacramento, California has returned a guilty verdict against Donald J. Peel, 64, of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the interstate transportation of a minor for unlawful sexual activity.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the five-day trial, Peel initiated a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl in Las Vegas in late 2013. He then took her on a trip lasting almost a month, through five states, including Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington.
The trip ended with Peel’s arrest in Weed, California on March 19, 2014. The minor was still accompanying him. Evidence at trial showed that Peel targeted the teenager, who had a developmental disability and a drug problem. During the five-state trip, he provided her with drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine (which he administered intravenously), and marijuana.
He engaged in sexual activity with the teenager nearly every day of the trip. Additionally, evidence presented during the trial showed that Peel attempted to keep his girlfriend in Las Vegas from testifying at trial, though she ultimately testified.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, the Weed Police Department, Siskiyou Juvenile Probation Department, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Washington.
Peel is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on February 6, 2015. He faces a sentence of at least 10 years, and up to life in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
The actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Defendant: Donald J. Peel
Criminal Charges: Interstate Transportation Of A Minor For Unlawful Sexual Activity
City and State: Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Late 2013 (crime date), March 19, 2014 (arrest date), February 6, 2015 (sentencing date)
Sentence: At least 10 years, up to life in prison, and a $250,000 fine
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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