Two US Citizens Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Minors in Colombia

In two separate cases in recent weeks, Colombian law enforcement officials arrested two US citizens who are being charged with alleged sexual crimes against minors.

Police arrested a US citizen in Floresta who will be charged for the alleged sexual exploitation of minors. (Credit: Policía Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá)

In late February, the Metropolitan Police of Valle de Aburrá arrested a 48-year-old U.S. citizen referred to as “El Quimico” in the town of Bello, Antioquia, following an investigation named “Operation Arcángel” that was supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and led to the arrest of several other foreign nationals accused of similar crimes.

The foreigner has entered Colombia dozens of times and most recently flew into Bogotá before traveling to Medellín, where he allegedly lured, drugged, and sexually assaulted girls between the ages of 12 and 17, according to public statements by Colonel Juan Pablo Cubides of the National Police.

When he was apprehended, authorities say they recovered 13 mobile phones, a laptop, and marijuana, among other drugs.

He will be prosecuted for the alleged crimes of commercial sexual exploitation and child pornography, per authorities.

Just days later, on March 1, a 40-year-old US citizen was arrested in Floresta, Aniquotia, by the same police force. Dominick Divencenzo (above photo) will also face charges of  sexually exploiting minors.

“It was possible to establish, through the investigation, that this person had entered the country nine times and since 2021 resided in Medellín,” said the police agency in a public release. “He contacted his victims through social networks, and some were referred by other minors, who he paid between 250,000 to 300,000 (Colombian pesos) for sexual encounters [and] on some occasions he gave them cell phones as a form of payment.”

The investigation unit of DHS also supported this investigation.

To combat such heinous acts, Medellín has been increasing its public campaign to prevent the sexual exploitation of minors, including a recent curfew established in certain areas of the city for anyone under 18.

Following the high-profile arrests, authorities have warned those who rent properties that they can be fined or even face property forfeiture if they are found to be facilitators of sexual crimes in private properties.

Following the incidents, Manuel Villa Mejía, secretary of security for Medellín, posted on his X account about recent raids in the city:

“With the objective of guaranteeing the safety of our citizens, last night, we again carried out a mega-operation in the center of the city, with the active participation of more than 300 agents of the police, army, the Secretariat of Mobility, Migration Colombia and other municipal agencies. During the intervention, among other measures, 13 establishments were closed, including bars, nightclubs, hotels and residences that did not comply with the regulations. With authority and order, we are building the road to tranquility.”