A Georgia man has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for sex crimes involving a Missouri teenager. U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp handed down the 200-month sentence to Carlan Travis Penney Jr., 46, on Wednesday.
Penney pleaded guilty in October to coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. According to court records, Penney met the 15-year-old girl online and exchanged nude photos with her. He then rented a car, traveled to Missouri, picked up the teen, attempted to destroy her laptop and phone to hide his actions, and took her back to Georgia where he engaged in sexual activity with her.
The girl’s family reported her missing, prompting local law enforcement and the FBI to investigate. Special agents discovered that she had been communicating with Penney. Authorities located and rescued the victim from a home belonging to Penney’s family within 24 hours.
Following his prison term, Penney will be subject to lifetime supervised release.
“Carlan Penney Jr. attempted to conceal his identity and cover his tracks, including destroying and discarding the victim’s mobile devices. Still, the FBI found the victim’s location in Georgia within 24 hours,” said Special Agent in Charge Chris Crocker of the FBI St. Louis Division. “We want to thank again the Worth County and Crisp County Sheriff’s Offices for recovering the girl safely after Penney refused to comply with orders for more than half an hour.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including FBI offices from St. Louis and Atlanta (Albany Resident Agency), Missouri State Highway Patrol, Worth County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia), and Crisp County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia). Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006 that aims to address child sexual exploitation by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts for apprehension and prosecution as well as victim rescue. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
