A Manchester man has been sentenced to nearly 29 years in federal prison for child exploitation offenses connected to the sexual abuse of a minor, according to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
On October 30, 2025, Hernan Ayala, 33, received a sentence of 348 months in prison and 40 years of supervised release from U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford. The charges stem from Ayala’s long-term sexual abuse of a minor female.
Court documents and statements indicate that the Manchester Police Department began investigating Ayala in March 2024 after receiving a complaint regarding his abuse of a minor girl. The victim reported that Ayala had engaged in sexual acts with her over more than eight years and had recorded some incidents on his cellphone. Investigators executed a search warrant at Ayala’s residence, seizing electronic devices including his iPhone. A forensic review uncovered multiple videos and images showing Ayala engaging in sexual conduct with the victim.
Ayala was initially arrested on state charges on March 9, 2024, and has remained detained since then. He pleaded guilty in federal court on July 8, 2025, to production and possession of child pornography.
The investigation involved 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 prosecuted the case.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed appreciation for assistance from local State’s Attorney’s Offices: “U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of Hartford and Tolland for their cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Reports of child exploitation can be made at www.cybertipline.com.
