Chicago Man Charged with Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Other Felonies in Online Sting

Oct 29, 2021Press Release

COOK COUNTY, IL – A Chicago man has been charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly solicited sex from an undercover Cook County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit Officer who was posing as a minor on a social media app, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.

On Oct. 21, investigators were working undercover on a social media messaging application posing as a 16-year-old girl when they were contacted by Feliciano Morales-Diaz, 35, of the 8000 block of South Kedvale Avenue in Chicago. Over the course of the investigation, Morales-Diaz sent sexually explicit messages and photos and agreed to meet with the undercover officer to engage in sexual intercourse.

On Wednesday, Oct. 27, officers met with the Morales-Diaz and took him into custody for further investigation. After being read his Miranda rights, Morales-Diaz told investigators that he knew he was sending sexually explicit messages and photos to a minor and left his workplace to meet with the minor for sex.

Morales-Diaz appeared in the Cook County Second Municipal District Courthouse in Skokie on Thursday afternoon, where he was issued a $250,000 D Bond on charges of Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – a Class 2 felony, Travelling to Meet a Minor – a Class 3 felony, Grooming a Minor – a Class 4 felony, Manufacturing Harmful Material – a Class 4 felony, and Indecent Solicitation of a Minor – a Class 4 felony. He was released that same day after posting the required 10% of his bond.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.

-30-