ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A man remained in St. Johns County jail Friday morning accused of several crimes related to the sexual abuse of a child. St. Johns County officials said Ali Aldemar Moreno, 21, was arrested in Oct. 2024 on capital sexual battery charges involving an 11-year-old victim.
Authorities said Moreno portrayed himself as a 15-year-old boy on Snapchat grooming the child and later picking her up near a bus stop. St. Johns County investigators say Moreno then drove the child to another location where he assaulted her.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Moreno lived in Flagler County.
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He was first arrested in Edgewater in Volusia County last October on multiple charges, involving two 14-year-old victims.
He has since been arrested in St. Johns County.
“During the course of the investigation, our detectives have uncovered additional victims in this case,” said Lieutenant George Harrigan.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said so far, evidence suggests that victims are primarily in northeast and east central Florida, but they are concerned there could be others outside this area due to the reach of social media.
As deputies continue this investigation, they want to remind parents to talk with their children about the dangers of social media and grooming tactics of online predators.
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“If we are going to stop these sexual predators and online predators from harming out kids, we have to fight back,” said Lieutenant Harrigan.
Deputies said its critical to engage with your child’s online activity.
“You should have the password to your kids’ phones,” said Lieutenant Harrigan. “You should have the password and login information to their social media accounts. And not just that, it goes a step beyond that you have to understand the social media accounts they are on.”
If your child has been victimized by, or has had any contact with Moreno, you are asked to contact the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Those want to reach out to the sheriff’s office are asked to call 904-824-8304, crimetips@sjso.org, or 1-888-277-8477.
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