Husband of former U.S. Transportation Secretary accused of sexual abuse of minor?

Terry Peters of Peoria, the husband of former U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl, authorities said.

Peters, 67, was arrested Saturday and was being held in Maricopa County's Fourth Avenue Jail in Phoenix.

Peoria police conducted an investigation beginning June 18 after they were contacted by family members of the girl.

Peoria police officers took custody of Peters, who was charged with sexual misconduct with a minor and sexual abuse, said Peoria police spokesman Jay Davies.

The alleged sexual conduct occurred in 2009 and 2010, when the girl was about 7, Davies said.

"There are multiple instances of this happening," he said.

Mary Peters is also on the board of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Terry Peters, who has been retired for a number of years, worked in the transportation technology industry.