Bay Area Resident Sentenced To More Than Nine Years In Prison For Engaging In Illicit Sexual Conduct With A Minor In Foreign Country

SAN FRANCISCO – Douglas Peacock was sentenced today to 115 months in prison for traveling to a foreign country and engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge in Northern California and Northern Nevada Ryan L. Spradlin.  The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Charles R. Breyer, U.S. District Judge.

“Today, the Court imposed a sentence commensurate with the egregiousness of the crime committed,” said U.S. Attorney Tse.  “This case demonstrates the borderless nature of crimes against children and this Office’s dedication to prosecute those crimes, protect the community, and bring justice to child victims and their families.”

“Homeland Security Investigations has one of the largest cadres of criminal investigators and allies globally that are highly trained and uniquely equipped to identify and arrest those who are involved in the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Spradlin. “Thanks to our work with our attaché in Jamaica, we were able to ensure this child molester was not only held accountable in a foreign country, but that he was prosecuted, will serve time, and be registered as sex offender here in the U.S. to help keep others safe from potential threat.”

Peacock, 44, of Foster City, pleaded guilty to the charge on April 25, 2018.  In pleading guilty, Peacock admitted that he traveled from the United States to Jamaica on June 20, 2017, and on the following day engaged in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.  Specifically, Peacock, while in the pool of a family-friendly resort in Jamaica, molested a six-year-old U.S. citizen.  A federal grand jury indicted Peacock on November 2, 2017, charging him with one count of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(c).  

In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer also ordered Peacock to serve a 10-year period of supervised release, which will begin after his prison term is over, and to register as a sex offender.  

Peacock has been in federal custody since being returned to the United States on November 10, 2017, and will begin serving his sentence immediately.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shiao Lee with the assistance of Kimberly Richardson and Marina Ponomarchuk.  The case was investigated by HSI in San Francisco and Ohio with assistance from the HSI attaché in Kingston, Jamaica.