An underage girl from Missouri has been rescued from a Georgia man accused of child sex crimes. Carlan Travis Penney Jr., 46, faces charges in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis for coercion and enticement of a minor and transporting a minor across state lines for illegal sexual activity. He was arrested in Georgia on March 8, following a complaint filed the previous day.
According to charging documents, the teen's family reported her missing to the local sheriff’s office, which then contacted the FBI. Investigations revealed that Penney had rented a car to pick up the teen from her home in Missouri and take her to Georgia. During this encounter, Penney allegedly wore a mask and claimed he had a firearm if she turned out to be law enforcement. The documents also state that he destroyed her phone and another device before taking her to Georgia, using cash and wearing gloves during stops.
The victim was located at a residence belonging to Penney’s family. She informed the FBI that they met on a "chat site," where Penney allegedly steered their conversation towards sexual topics and sent explicit images.
Charges in an indictment are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division acknowledged swift action by multiple agencies: “The victim was rescued quickly because of partnerships... Special thanks to the Worth County and Crisp County Sheriff’s Offices that recovered the girl safely after an hour-long standoff with the subject."
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI’s St. Louis Division, FBI Atlanta’s Albany Resident Agency, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Worth County Sheriff's Office, and Crisp County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is handling prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation since May 2006.
