US Agents Investigate Medellin Child Sexual Exploitation Case Involving an American

US investigators arrived in Medellin to inquire about a case of child sexual exploitation involving an American citizen that recently sparked outrage in Colombia and reignited the debate on child trafficking in the country. Colombia issued an arrest warrant on Friday, April 5, regarding the case, followed by a Blue Notice issued by Interpol. However, US authorities have reportedly opened a separate case against the suspected American citizen, purportedly also on charges of child sexual exploitation.

Child exploitation case in Medellin, Colombia

On the night of Thursday, March 28, 2024, Timothy Alan Livingston, a 36-year-old American citizen from Ohio, was discovered in his hotel room in Medellín’s El Poblado neighborhood, with two girls under 14 years old, after being reported by a neighbor. Arrested by the police, he was quickly released due to the absence of material evidence. A later investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, however, revealed that this was due to police failure to seal the room and protect the existing evidence, which, according to police officers’ testimony, consisted of drugs and used condoms. Recently, one of the young girls involved reportedly confirmed having a sexual encounter with the American citizen.

Despite President Petro’s previous announcement of an extradition request to the United States, no formal demand has been formulated to Washington. Indeed, there is no agreement between the US and Colombia regarding the extradition of US citizens to the South American country. If an investigation and judicial trial find the American citizen guilty, he will most likely serve his sentence in the United States.

The case sparked outrage in Colombia and Medellín, leading Federico Gutierrez, the city’s mayor, to ban prostitution in the El Poblado neighborhood and announce the prohibition of tourists with sexual offender records from entering the city’s airport.