Former preacher sentenced to over half a century for child sex crimes committed overseas

PENSACOLA, Fla. (CBS12) — A former preacher from Milton, Florida, was handed a 60-year sentence in federal prison for sex crimes he committed in the Republic of Fiji.

A Monday news release announced Jason Moore, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of illicit sexual conduct in foreign places. The crimes are reported to have taken place from March 2013 to February 2016, but he was only arrested in late 2022 by officials in Santa Rosa County after victims came forward about their sexual abuse.

Department of Homeland Security special agents and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) officials made the arrest, according to the news release.

“There is no greater charge than the protection of our children,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Jason Coody said.

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The attorney said he hopes this sentence serves as a reminder and deterrent for other predators who would do harm to children. In addition to 60 years in federal prison, Moore will have a lifetime of supervised release, will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to all sex offender conditions.

"As a former preacher, Moore had plenty of access to children in a role that placed him in a position of trust for parents and the community," an FDLE special agent in charge said.

The Department of Homeland Security, the FDLE and the New York State Police collaborated in this investigation.

“Individuals who masquerade under a disguise of public trust and prey on the vulnerability of children in their own home should expect to be held fully accountable for their actions,” a Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge said. "I commend the victim for having the courage to come forward."

Getting Moore behind bars was a priority for all agents involved in this case, the news release said.