Photo: Washington Parish Sheriff's Office
Howell Gene Penton, a 73-year-old man from Mississippi, was arrested for allegedly attempting to purchase a 10-month-old girl at an auction house in Louisiana. The incident occurred in the small village of Angie, Washington Parish, and Penton now faces charges related to the sale of minor children. According to the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, Penton approached a woman at the Angie Auction House and offered to buy her infant daughter.
Following this alarming incident, investigators conducted an undercover operation on Saturday (November 29) and successfully took Penton into custody without incident. As the investigation is still ongoing, the authorities have not released further details. They urge anyone with information about the sale of minor children to contact the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-839-3434.
The case highlights the serious nature of child trafficking and the efforts of law enforcement to combat such crimes. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding Penton's actions and any potential accomplices involved.