A Miami resident, Stefan Andres Correa, 42, has been sentenced to life in federal prison following his guilty plea for traveling to Colombia with the intent of engaging in sexual activities with minors.
Court documents reveal that law enforcement intercepted Correa at Miami International Airport as he was about to board a flight to Bogota, Colombia. An outbound border search led officers to discover nine cell phones in his possession. These devices contained over 100 videos showing Correa involved in sexual acts with more than 50 minors aged between 11 and 17 years. Additionally, a text message on one of the phones showed an exchange with a Colombian sex trafficker where Correa agreed to pay $300,000 Colombian pesos (approximately $75 USD) for commercial sex with children aged between 10 and 12.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida commented on the case: “The United States of America will always seek to protect children near and far.” He emphasized that this prosecution serves as a warning to predators intending to exploit children within their jurisdiction.
Jose R. Figueroa, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Miami, acknowledged the courage of survivors and highlighted the global nature of child sex trafficking: “This investigation underscores the global and horrific nature of child sex trafficking and the importance of international cooperation to end it.”
The investigation was conducted by HSI Miami with support from offices in Cleveland, Ohio; Bogota, Colombia; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and other agencies. The Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogota also played a crucial role.
Prosecution was led by Major Crimes Deputy Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Astigarraga under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation since May 2006.
For those needing assistance or wishing to report human trafficking or online child sexual exploitation, several resources are available including hotlines and websites managed independently from law enforcement agencies.
Additional court documents related to this case can be accessed via the District Court for the Southern District of Florida’s website under case number 24-cr-20186.
