ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — A St. Johns County jury has convicted a serial sexual predator on multiple felony counts, including capital offenses that carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Following a two-day trial, the jury deliberated for only 12 minutes before returning a guilty verdict against 22-year-old Ali Aldemar Moreno for the grooming and assault of an 11-year-old child.
The convictions include two counts of Capital Sexual Battery on a Person Less Than 12 Years of Age, along with Traveling to Meet a Minor, Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct, Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, Possession of Child Pornography, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device.
The investigation began in October 2024 after Moreno utilized a social media platform to portray himself as a 15-year-old boy. Through this digital disguise, he groomed the 11-year-old victim before traveling from Flagler County to St. Johns County to carry out the assault. As detectives with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office delved deeper into the case, they identified several additional victims across the Seventh Judicial Circuit who had also been targeted and assaulted by Moreno.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza characterized Moreno as the “ultimate serial sexual predator” who specifically targeted the region’s youngest and most vulnerable residents. Larizza noted that while sexual abuse leaves a profound and lasting effect on victims, he expressed hope that the legal system would provide a measure of justice following the swift jury decision.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Monica Smith. Judge Christopher Ferebee, who presided over the trial, will pronounce the formal sentence at a later date. Because of the nature of the Capital Sexual Battery convictions, Moreno faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Authorities believe there may be more victims given the defendant’s history across multiple counties. They continue to urge anyone with information regarding Moreno or similar incidents to contact their local law enforcement agency.