Pharmacist Sentenced to Life for Sex Tourism in Colombia

Stefan Correa's Crimes and Arrest

• 👨‍⚕️ Stefan Andres Correa, a Miami-area pharmacist, was arrested at Miami International Airport while boarding a flight to Bogota, Colombia.
• 📱 Investigators found nine cell phones on his person, containing 100 photos and videos of him having sex with over 50 minors, some as young as 10 years old.
• 💬 Correa was found to be communicating with pimps in Medellin, discussing his preferences for underage girls and arranging sexual encounters.
• ✈️ He admitted to traveling to Medellin at least 45 times between 2022 and 2024 for the express purpose of sex with minors.

Details of Exploitation and Trafficking

• 💔 Correa's messages reveal a depraved mindset, including discussions about a girl's age, birthday, and willingness to comply with his demands.
• 💰 He negotiated payments for minors, including cash and iPhones, and discussed ensuring privacy for the encounters.
• ⚖️ Two women in Colombia were arrested in connection with the operation: Lena Marcella Velasquez Maldonado, who handed over her 11-year-old cousin, and Maria Camila Cano Quervo, who allegedly organized meetings.
• 📈 Investigators followed digital banking apps to identify alleged pimps involved in the scheme.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• 📜 Correa changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in federal court and was sentenced in late June.
• ⚖️ The prosecution highlighted that he victimized at least 50 minor girls, with some believed to be as young as 10.
• 📝 In a letter to the judge, Correa accused his attorney of failing to provide evidence promptly and alleged inaccuracies in the case files.
• 🧠 He also made an unfathomable statement about having an "unhealthy yet treatable sex drive."

Sex Tourism in Medellin and Libertas International

• 🌍 Medellin, Colombia, is a known destination for sex tourism, where sex work is not illegal, but paying minors for sex is.
• 🇺🇸 Another American, Timothy Livingston, was previously found with underage girls in Medellin but escaped custody.
• 🤝 Tyler Schwab, CEO of Libertas International, an NGO assisting survivors of human trafficking, was involved in helping Correa's victims.
• 🆘 Libertas International collaborates with authorities and provides support for survivors' healing, education, and self-sufficiency.

Impact and Prevention Efforts

• 💔 Survivors often come with significant trauma and are unaccustomed to receiving support without expecting something in return.
• 🎓 True freedom for survivors involves empowerment through education and economic self-sufficiency, not just rescue.
• 🏢 Libertas International partners with beauty and tech schools in Colombia and has a director of justice to liaise with law enforcement.
• 🏘️ The mayor of Medellin implemented measures like earlier bar closing times and restrictions on Airbnbs to combat exploitation, with Airbnbs being a common site for abuse.
• 📢 A life sentence for Correa serves as a significant deterrent, signaling that such crimes are taken seriously and sending a message that the days of Americans abusing children in developing countries are ending.
• ❤️ Viewers can support Libertas International through donations or by following and sharing their work on social media to raise awareness.