An Anne Arundel man who allegedly paid a 14-year-old girl for sex is expected to be indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, his defense attorney said.
Mark David Peay, 32, of Severna Park, was arrested in Silver Spring May 1 and charged with various sexual offenses against a minor while traveling to pick up the girl, police said.
The county has also filed a civil suit against Peay for forfeiture of his 2011 Lexus RX, an SUV with a sticker price when new of around $39,000.
Detectives from the county police Vice and Intelligence Unit discovered Peay had met the girl through social media, paid her and had sex with her at a Silver Spring hotel in late April. Detectives learned of a complaint about the encounter on April 29, police said.
Detectives believe Peay may have assaulted others. He is charged with third-degree sexual offense, sexual solicitation of a minor, prostitution and human trafficking.
Richard Finci, Peay’s attorney, declined to comment on the criminal case but said the SUV forfeiture is related to the criminal charges, as state law dictates property can be seized if it is involved in human trafficking. Peay was driving the vehicle, allegedly en route to pick up the girl, Finci said.
The county must file within 45 days of seizure of the vehicle if there is an intent to try to forfeit, Associate County Attorney Haley Roberts said in an email.
Peay is free on bond. He is scheduled to appear in county District Court on Friday, but a grand jury indictment would cancel those proceedings, likely moving the case to Circuit Court.
The county State’s Attorney’s Office cannot comment on grand jury proceedings, a spokesman said.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
