A Cocoa area man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually molesting an adolescent female relative.

JUDGE A. MORRISON, JR., 58, pleaded no contest on May 5 to one count of lewd or lascivious battery of a child younger than 15. He was arrested by Cocoa Police in February 2024 the same night the victim told her parents that Morrison entered her bedroom, asked if she could keep a secret, offered her $5, then forced her to perform a sex act.

Assistant State Attorney Jay Fowler had prepared evidence and testimony including:

• The victim’s DNA, found on Morrison after police took him into custody.
• Witness testimony that Morrison admitted to a lapse in judgement when confronted by family about the molestation.

Fowler said the plea agreement and sentence was an acceptable outcome for the victim’s family and the State.

“It provides a solid measure of punishment for the defendant’s criminal act and at the same time prevents the need for this young girl to testify at trial and have to relive the incident,” Fowler said. “It makes the community a safer place because he’s not going to be here.”   

Besides the prison sentence, Judge Charles Crawford signed an order declaring Morrison a sexual predator. That will impose Florida’s strongest permanent registration requirements and residency restrictions on Morrison when he exits prison at about 70 years old.

While he is in prison, Morrison will be subject to evaluation under Florida’s Jimmy Ryce Act. If experts determine he poses a risk of reoffending, he can be civilly committed to a residential facility for sex offenders instead of being released to the public.