A Maryland man is accused of pursuing a Bucks County teen he met on social media and discussing plans to secretly meet her for sex.
Perkasie police opened an investigation earlier this year after receiving a referral from Bucks County Children & Youth involving a 15-year-old girl who was being sexually exploited by an adult man.
The teen told police she started talking on Snapchat with Thomas Peterson, 23, of Columbia last year. They exchanged nude photos multiple times and engaged in video chats, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The girl alleged that Peterson was aware of her age, but it didn’t change the tone of their conversations or
his requests for sexually explicit photos and videos of her.
Authorities allege the two exchanged more than 1,600 Snapchat messages between September 2025 and April 2026, when police opened their investigation.
After the girl posted a public story on the app about her upcoming 15th birthday and the presents she wanted, she alleged Peterson sent her a private chat telling her he’d love to give her a present and a kissing emoji.
Hours later, he requested for her to send him sexually explicit photos of herself, which the girl provided, the affidavit said.
Multiple times in conversations the girl told Peterson that she was a virgin, and he responded that he wanted to be her first sexual experience, attempting to coordinate on different days to drive to Bucks County to meet up with her, the affidavit alleges.
When the girl told Peterson that her parents have her location on her phone, he allegedly asked her to describe the locations where she is allowed to be alone, so he could meet her there without raising suspicion.
Peterson was arraigned before District Judge Regina Armitage on Sept. 10 on seven felony charges related to child pornography. He is free after posting bail.
His attorney, Michael Diamondstein, said the allegations are under review. He asked the public to withhold judgment "until all of the facts come to light.”
Crime and court reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Perkasie police allege that Maryland man pursued girl, 15, for sex
