Pekin Man Gets 10 Years After Trying to Trick a Minor
A 42‑year‑old man from Pekin, Mark Steven Peterson, received a decade in federal prison after attempting to lure a child to Peoria for sexual activities.
Peterson believed the girl was 10 and had been chatting online with someone he thought was her stepfather. The conversations, presented at a June 18 hearing, detailed the sexual acts he intended to carry out.
He had planned a date and traveled to Peoria, but FBI agents intercepted him before he could act on his plan. After being released on bond in July, Peterson violated the conditions of his release the following month and was rearrested. He remained in custody and pleaded guilty in December.
His sentence includes:
- 10 years in federal prison
- 5 years of supervised release
- Mandatory sex‑offender registration
The case underscores how online chats can lead to serious legal consequences and the importance of monitoring suspicious behavior. It also illustrates that breaking bond conditions can swiftly transform temporary freedom into permanent imprisonment.
