Las Vegas Man Indicted for Interstate Transportation of a Minor for Prohibited Sexual Contact

SACRAMENTO, CA—A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Donald J. Peel, 63, of Las Vegas, Nevada, charging him with interstate transportation of a minor for prohibited sexual contact, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, Peel initiated a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl in Las Vegas in late 2013. In February 2014, Peel and the minor began a five-state trip throughout the Western United States that included Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and California. Peel and the minor engaged in sexual conduct in each of the five states. On March 19, 2014, Peel was arrested in Weed, California, with the minor still accompanying him. Peel has been in custody since his arrest and is scheduled for arraignment on April 16, 2014.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, and the Weed Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew G. Morris is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Peel faces a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.