Sexual predator sentenced to 23 years for sex crimes involving teen in Florida, deputies say

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — An Alabama man has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex crimes involving a teenage girl, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

A judge sentenced 44-year-old Aaron Carpenter on Thursday to three felony sex offenses involving a teenage girl, dating back to 2018.

Deputies said Carpenter was arrested for three sex offense charges on Sept. 23, 2020, in Mobile, Alabama.

Carpenter would later admit to detectives that he sexually abused the victim multiple times, in multiple states, between 2018 and 2020, investigators said.

Deputies said one of the incidents took place at a Flagler County hotel on Sept. 11, 2020.

On Thursday, Carpenter received a 23-year sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections for three felony sex offenses.

Deputies said after he completes his sentence, Carpenter will be placed on lifetime sex offender probation and designated as a sexual predator.

“These types of cases are often difficult to make and I’m very proud of our Major Case Unit for getting this disgusting pervert off the streets,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a news release. “I’m grateful that he’s behind bars before he could hurt the victim or another child again. I hope the prison sentence brings the victim some peace and she is receiving the emotional and psychological support she needs. Let this be a reminder to anyone who thinks about taking a child’s innocence away. We will find you and put you in prison for a very long time where you belong.”

Deputies said in addition to his crimes in Florida, he also has similar charges pending in Alabama.