MIAMI, FL – Stefan Andres Correa, 42, of Miami, will spend the rest of his life in federal prison after pleading guilty to the abhorrent crime of traveling to Colombia for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with minors. The sentence, handed down today, marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against international child sex trafficking, but offers little comfort to the victims whose lives Correa irrevocably damaged.
The grim details emerged following Correa’s arrest at Miami International Airport. Law enforcement officers intercepted him on the jet bridge as he prepared to board a flight to Bogota, Colombia. A routine outbound border search quickly turned disturbing when officers discovered a staggering nine cellular phones in his possession. A forensic examination of the devices revealed over 100 videos depicting Correa sexually abusing more than 50 minors, ranging in age from 11 to 17. The sheer volume of evidence paints a chilling portrait of premeditation and depravity.
But the horror didn’t stop there. Investigators also uncovered a text message exchange on one of the phones, revealing Correa’s arrangement with a sex trafficker in Colombia. He’d agreed to pay 300,000 Colombian pesos – roughly $75 U.S. dollars – to facilitate commercial sex acts with even younger children, aged 10 to 12. This wasn’t a spontaneous act; it was a meticulously planned operation to exploit vulnerable victims.
“The United States of America will always seek to protect children near and far,” declared U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “This prosecution and this sentence should serve as a warning to any predator who is trying to travel through our District to prey on children. We will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. A life sentence for this conduct is entirely appropriate. Predators such as Correa are a scourge upon humanity, and must be dealt with accordingly.”
The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, wasn’t confined to U.S. soil. HSI offices in Cleveland, Ohio, and Bogota, Colombia, collaborated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Justice’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section to build a watertight case. “To the brave survivors, your courage was the driving force in this case, and I hope that the life sentence of this predator brings you some measure of justice and relief,” said Jose R. Figueroa, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “This investigation underscores the global and horrific nature of child sex trafficking and the importance of international cooperation to end it.”
This case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. Resources are available for those impacted by trafficking: call 1-888-373-7888; text “BeFree” (233733), or chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org. To report online exploitation, visit report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. Major Crimes Deputy Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Astigarraga prosecuted the case, ensuring Correa faced the full weight of the law for his monstrous crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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