CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. — A man accused of killing a Clear Creek County dog breeder and then hiding his body on the breeder's property initially said he stole multiple items from the victim's camper - including the likely murder weapon - but did not hurt the victim.
Later, Sergio Ferrer changed his story and told investigators he killed Paul Peavey in self-defense, according to an arrest affidavit from the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office.
Peavey was last heard from on Aug. 19 and was reported missing several days later. According to the affidavit, deputies went to his residence, which was an RV, on Aug. 22 and found no sign of Peavey. They did, however, find the door to his camper open and located two adult Doberman Pinschers. According to the affidavit, there was no food or water for the animals so both were transported to a shelter.
On Aug. 24, a privately organized search party discovered Peavey’s body near his home just before noon. When investigators spoke with one of the men who found Peavey's remains, he mentioned Ferrer and another person had been selling Doberman Pinscher puppies on Facebook. The man also told investigators he had called Peavey's phone and it was answered by someone who was not Peavey. He said that person appeared to have a "fake accent," the affidavit says. He said he believed the person he spoke with was Ferrer.
That man also told investigators that multiple items were missing from Peavey's place. Those items included jewelry, weapons, and metal detectors.
Since Ferrer lived in Georgetown, investigators contacted Georgetown Police and were told they were already looking to arrest him on an unrelated warrant. Due to his possible involvement in Peavey's death, Georgetown Police said they would try to contact him. Ferrer was arrested that day at his work.
The next day a witness contacted the sheriff's office and reported that Ferrer's Jeep had been seen in Georgetown on Aug. 23. According to the affidavit, a puppy and dog crates were inside.
When investigators eventually searched Ferrer's home they found multiple items that had reportedly been stolen from Peavey.
They included:
- Two pepper ball guns
- A black bag containing jewelry
- Four metal detectors
- A cellphone with Peavey's name on it
Investigators also seized other items including clothing with possible blood on it and wipes that appeared to match those found at the crime scene.
When asked about some of the items, Ferrer said he got the metal detectors from a man named "Jared." When contacted, that man said he had no knowledge of any metal detectors. Ferrer volunteered to investigators that Peavey had given him the rifle BB gun.
He later claimed Peavey sold him two pistol BB guns, two rifle BB guns, and a 9mm handgun. Ferrer further explained that he went to Peavey's place on Aug. 19 to make a final payment for a puppy and found his place a mess, the affidavit says. He said he took numerous items.
"I saw an opportunity to take some stuff and put money in my pocket," he told investigators, the affidavit says. "But I didn't do nothing to Paul."
When asked why he didn't call the police, he explained he knew he had a warrant and would be arrested. When pressed by investigators, Ferrer eventually admitted he shot Peavey, but claimed it was self-defense after Peavey pointed a gun at him, the affidavit says. He said Peavey was involved in a drug cartel - and that the incident was centered around missing drugs - and had nothing to do with the dogs.
He denied that he ever sold any of Peavey's dogs and insisted he took the dogs to Denver and gave them all away.
However, a vet called the sheriff's office and alerted them after a woman brought in a puppy with a microchip that matched one of Peavey's puppies. The new owner said she bought the puppy on Aug. 21 from a man and a young girl. She said she paid $750 using Cash App to "Ferrer Ferrer."
A spokeswoman for the sheriff's office said they know where two of the 10 missing puppies are. The other was purchased from Peavey shortly before he disappeared.
The Clear Creek County Coroner’s Office completed the autopsy and confirmed the manner of death as a homicide and that his cause of death was a gunshot wound. Bullet fragments consistent with a 9mm bullet were recovered from his body.
When asked if the 9mm found in his room matched the one used to kill Peavey, Ferrer responded, "Then I took the wrong [expletive] weapon," the affidavit says.