David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Hernan Ayala, 33, from Manchester, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to child exploitation offenses related to his sexual abuse of a minor.
Court documents and statements reveal that in March 2024, the Manchester Police Department received a complaint regarding Ayala’s sexual abuse of a minor female. The victim reported that Ayala had engaged in sexual conduct with her for over eight years and recorded the abuse on his cellphone. Investigators searched Ayala’s residence and seized several electronic devices, including an iPhone. Analysis revealed numerous videos and images of Ayala engaging in sexual conduct with the victim.
Ayala pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, which carries up to 10 years imprisonment, and production of child pornography, carrying a mandatory minimum term of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years. He is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver on September 30.
Ayala has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on March 9, 2024.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Manchester Police Department, Glastonbury Police Department, and the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nancy V. Gifford is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed gratitude towards the State’s Attorney’s Offices for Hartford and Tolland Judicial Districts for their cooperation in this investigation and prosecution.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood Initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or to report cases of child exploitation visit www.justice.gov/psc or www.cybertipline.com.
