United States of America v. Carlan Travis Penney, Jr.

St. Louis, Missouri, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with coercion, enticement, and transportation of minor for sexual purposes.

Carlan Travis Penney Jr., now 46, pleaded guilty in October to coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. He admitted meeting the 15-year-old online and exchanging nude photos with her. Penney then rented a car, drove to Missouri and picked the girl up. Penney tried to destroy her laptop and phone to conceal his crime and brought the victim to Georgia, where he engaged in sexual activity with her.

The teen’s family alerted the local sheriff’s office when she went missing, and the sheriff’s office enlisted the assistance of the FBI. FBI special agents learned that the teen had been in contact with Penney, and investigators rescued her from a home belonging to Penney’s family.

After his release from prison, Penney will be on supervised release for life.

“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 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 (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case.

The defendant pleaded one and two of the Indictment on October 7, 2025. The defendant is hereby committed to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for a term of 200 months. Upon release from imprisonment, the defendant shall be on supervised release for a term of life. The defendant shall pay a special assessment in the amount of $200.