American expat, 40, is arrested amid claims he paid up to $63,000 to have sex with drugged teenage girls as young as 15 at his penthouse in Colombia

An American expat has been arrested for allegedly paying up to $63,000 to have sex with drugged teenage girls at his penthouse in Colombia.

Dominick Divencenzo, 40, originally from Illinois, was arrested at his luxury home in Medellin last week after police caught him with a 16-year-old girl, local media reported.

He is accused of luring girls as young as 15 years old to his La Floresta park apartment, plying them with drugs and paying up to $75 to sexually exploit them.

Divencenzo, believed to be a retired military member, has been charged with sexually exploiting minors, commercial sexual exploitation and child pornography.

He is the second American to be arrested for sexual crimes in the country in less than two days, according to reports. 

Dominick Divencenzo, 40, of Illinois, was reportedly arrested at his luxury home in Medellin, Colombia last week after police caught him with a 16-year-old girl

Security camera footage obtained by local media outlet El Armadillo showed Divencenzo entering the apartment building on various days, accompanied by young women and men. He is pictured in the building's elevator with suspected underage girls

Police said Divencenzo would pay the girls between 200,000 and 300,000 Colombian pesos, approximately $50 to $75, for sexual acts. He also often gave them smartphones as presents.  He is pictured on security footage bringing young people into the building

Divencenzo arrived in Medellín in 2020 and 'fell in love' with the city. He first lived in El Poblado, but later moved to an apartment in a corner of La Floresta park (pictured), where he was arrested on March 1 

Divencenzo was arrested at his home March 1 following a raid by Aburra Valley Metropolitan Police, Finance Colombia reported.

Photographs show officers leading the suspect, who is wearing a grubby t-shirt and shorts, away from the property in handcuffs. 

Divencenzo, who had been living in Colombia for three years, was apprehended while he was with a teenage girl who police believe would have been his next victim. 

The suspected pedophile contacted his victims through social media, investigation revealed, although some were referred to him by other underage girls.

Police said he would pay the girls between 200,000 and 300,000 Colombian pesos, approximately $50 to $75, for sexual acts. He also often gave them smartphones as presents.

Security camera footage obtained by local media outlet El Armadillo showed Divencenzo entering the apartment building on various days, accompanied by young women and men.

A source familiar with the situation told the outlet his 'apartment was like a brothel'.

It is understood that his neighbors knew about the illegal activity taking place in his apartment. Police would receive about 30 calls per month of reports about Divencenzo's behaviors, a source told El Armadillo.

Most of the complaints were from neighbors bothered by parties he would host. Divencenzo reportedly received letters 'asking him not to party until dawn'.

The insiders allege that he, in response to the complaints, alleged that his neighbors harassed him because they were 'xenophobic.' 

Photographs show officers leading the suspect, who is wearing a grubby t-shirt and shorts, away from the property in handcuffs. Divencenzo, believed to be a retired military member, has been charged with sexually exploiting minors, commercial sexual exploitation and child pornography

The suspected pedophile contacted his victims through social media, investigation revealed, although some were referred to him by other underage girls. Divencenzo is pictured during his arrest

Divencenzo arrived in Medellín in 2020 and 'fell in love' with the city. He first lived in El Poblado, but later moved to an apartment in a corner of La Floresta park.

Aburra Valley Metropolitan Police said: 'It was established, through the investigation, that the suspect had entered the country nine times and had resided in Medellin since 2021.' The force did not publicly name Divencenzo.

He is the second US citizen to be arrested by Aburra Valley Metropolitan Police for alleged sexual crimes against minors.

A 48-year-old American was arrested in late February for allegedly luring, drugging, and sexually assaulting girls between the ages of 12 and 17. During his arrest, police recovered 13 mobile phones, a laptop, marijuana and other drugs. 

The suspect faces charges of commercial sexual exploitation and child pornography.

Local Mayor Federico Gutierrez issued a statement on X following both arrests. It read: 'We want more tourists to come, but to come and add value, with a tourism that generates value.

'We will never tolerate people coming to carry out sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.'

The investigations were reportedly supported by the US Department of Homeland Security.