Prosecutors say in October 2024, Ali Moreno portrayed himself as a 15-year-old boy on social media and groomed an 11-year-old girl, later assaulting her.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A 22-year-old man, who had been living in Palm Coast prior to his arrest, was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday in St. Johns County after being found guilty of several child sex crimes in April.
Ali Moreno was sentenced to life in prison, followed by 35 years on Tuesday.
In April, a St. Johns County jury found Moreno guilty of two counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years old, traveling to meet a minor, soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices while misrepresenting age, promoting a sexual performance by a child, possession of child pornography and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Prosecutors say in October 2024, Moreno, who was 21 years old at the time, portrayed himself as a 15-year-old boy on a social media platform and groomed an 11-year-old girl. Later, investigators say he traveled from Flagler County to St. Johns County and assaulted her.
During the investigation, the Seventh Judicial Circuit said detectives identified several additional victims from across the area whom Moreno groomed and assaulted.
“Another sexual predator gone from our community for good,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said following the sentencing. “Your prosecutors fight every day, so you and your family are safe. It is our mission, duty, and privilege to protect you.”
