A Georgia man is facing serious charges after allegedly taking a Missouri teenager across state lines to engage in illicit sexual activities. Carlan Travis Penney Jr., 46, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office today.

Documents filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis revealed that the family of the underage girl notified law enforcement upon her disappearance, prompting an urgent investigation. The FBI was notified, leading to Penney's arrest in Georgia the day following the charges. Investigators discovered that Penney had used a rented vehicle to travel to Missouri and retrieve the teen, allegedly while wearing a mask and claiming possession of a firearm. During the trip, Penney paid exclusively in cash, wore gloves, and smashed the victim's mobile devices, according to the charging documents.

Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson from the FBI St. Louis Division underscored the significance of interagency collaboration in the swift rescue of the victim. "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," Johnson stated. The agencies involved conducted an hour-long standoff with Penney before successfully recovering the girl safely, as specified in the U.S. Attorney’s Office release.

The victim had reportedly met Penney through a chat site where their conversations eventually turned sexual, resulting in Penney sending sexually explicit images. While the indictment lays out serious allegations, it should be noted that these are merely accusations at this stage. Penney is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, a standard principle of America's judicial system.

Multiple law enforcement entities, including the FBI's divisions in St. Louis and Albany, GA, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Worth County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office, and Crisp County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office worked together in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case which is part of Project Safe Childhood.