A 73-year-old man was arrested after deputies say he tried to buy a woman’s 10-month-old daughter at the Angie Auction House, prompting an undercover operation that ended with his Nov. 29 apprehension in Washington Parish.
Investigators with the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office said they opened the case on Nov. 26 after learning of the alleged solicitation at the small-town auction venue near the Mississippi line. Working with the Angie Police Department, deputies arranged a controlled meet and moved in when the suspect arrived, according to the sheriff’s office. No injuries were reported. Detectives said the man was taken into custody without incident and booked into jail as the investigation continued this week.
The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Howell Gene Penton, 73, of Angie. Authorities said he approached a woman at the auction house and asked to purchase her infant daughter, who is 10 months old. After deputies initiated their probe, they coordinated with local officers to set up the encounter that led to Penton’s arrest on Nov. 29. Officials have not publicly detailed the amount of money allegedly discussed, the exact charges recommended for prosecutors or whether the initial contact was captured on surveillance video. The child’s mother and the baby were not hurt, deputies said.
Deputies described the undercover operation as routine for cases involving the reported sale of a minor. Investigators documented witness statements, collected any available phone communications and canvassed the property for video. Officials did not release the time of day when the initial solicitation occurred inside the auction house. The business sits along Louisiana Highway 21, a two-lane roadway that runs through Angie, a Washington Parish village roughly 60 miles north of New Orleans. Authorities said the case file would be forwarded to prosecutors after interviews and evidence reviews are completed.
Public records list Angie as a community where weekend auctions draw residents from both sides of the state line. Sheriff’s officials said deputies from the Special Investigations Unit handled the case, a team that typically works crimes against children, internet-based exploitation and undercover stings. As of Wednesday, no additional suspects had been announced, and investigators had not said whether they believed anyone else at the auction helped arrange the approach. Officials also did not discuss prior contacts with the suspect or any past calls for service at the business.
In Washington Parish, felony arrests typically move first to a district court judge for the setting of bond and the approval of initial charges before the case proceeds to the district attorney’s office for review. If prosecutors accept charges, a bill of information is filed and court dates for arraignment are set. Authorities said they expect to release charging details after the first court appearance. The sheriff’s office noted the investigation remains open while lab work, record checks and supplemental interviews are completed.
Neighbors and auction regulars described the allegation as startling for the rural village of nearly 200 residents. Outside the venue this week, trucks and trailers continued to arrive for scheduled sales. A man walking to the door said people were “just shaking their heads,” and an employee who declined to give a name said staff had been in touch with deputies since the weekend. The sheriff’s office said it would provide updates as the case moves through the courts.
As of Wednesday, the suspect remained in custody pending a bond decision. Officials said there was no ongoing threat at the auction house and emphasized that the reported approach involved a single child and family. The next step is an initial appearance before a judge, which is expected once prosecutors review the booking paperwork and confirm the charges.