La Plata, MD - Daniel David Dietzel, 34 of Somerset, PA (formerly of Indian Head), will be sentenced Aug. 31 on three counts including perverted sexual practice, manufacturing marijuana, driving on a suspended license and possession of marijuana.

Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West heard of the charges during a plea hearing Tuesday, July 28 in La Plata.

According to Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse, a detective with the Fairfax County Police Department leading an investigation into the exploitation of animals and beastiality, placed an advertisement on a beastiality web site which was responded to by the defendant Oct. 24, 2014.

“Based on that response, Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant on a residence in Indian Head,” Stackhouse said. “Contact was made with the defendant who made a statement to Det. Long that he has always been engaged in sexual acts with animals.”

Stackhouse added that at the time the search warrant was executed, Dietzel was pet sitting a pit bull for two-and-a-half days.

“The defendant admitted participating in sexual acts with the pit bull,” he said. “Had this matter proceeded to trial the state would have produced a video where the defendant called the pit bull by name and began massaging the dog’s genitals, and saying its name until and the dog ejaculated.”

Stackhouse added that when officers executed the search warrant they found multiple marijuana plants, a growing light, temperature gauge and other items associated with marijuana manufacturing.

Dietzel also faced another charge when he was pulled over July 4, 2014 for driving on a suspended license. He was found to be in possession of a pipe used to smoke marijuana in the console of his vehicle.

According to the plea agreement, West said he will sentence Dietzel to 15 years with all but three years suspended. He also ordered five years of supervised probation and said the defendant will be held without bail until his sentencing date of Aug. 31.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com