A 46-year-old Georgia man has been indicted on federal charges for child sex crimes after rescuing an underage Missouri girl from his captivity.
Carlan Travis Penney Jr. was charged by complaint in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on March 7th with compulsion and enticement of a juvenile, as well as transportation of a minor across state lines with the purpose to engage in illicit sexual activity. A grand jury detained him in Georgia the following day and indicted him on Wednesday.
According to the charge paperwork, the teen’s family reported her missing to the local sheriff’s office, which called the FBI. Bureau agents found that the child had communicated with Penney, who had rented a car to take her to Missouri and Georgia.
According to the affidavits, Penney picked up the youngster while wearing a mask and claiming to be armed, threatening her if she revealed herself to be a law enforcement official. He allegedly shattered her phone and another mobile device before driving her to Georgia. During the journey, Penney reportedly used only cash, wore gloves, and made numerous threats regarding violence, including references to murder.
Investigators found the teen at Penney’s family home in Georgia. The woman informed the FBI that Penney initiated sexual discussions and gave her explicit photographs after meeting on a “chat site.”
“The victim was rescued quickly because of partnerships. After the FBI became aware, the minor was found in 24 hours hundreds of miles from her home,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We thank all the various agencies that immediately helped at all hours of the night. 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 FBI’s St. Louis Division, FBI Atlanta’s Albany Resident Agency, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Worth County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office, and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office all investigated the case. Michael Hayes, an assistant US attorney, is prosecuting the case.
