David X. Sullivan, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Hernan Ayala, 33, from Manchester, has pleaded guilty to child exploitation offenses related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Ayala waived his right to be indicted and entered his plea in Hartford federal court.
Court documents reveal that in March 2024, the Manchester Police Department received a complaint about 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 these acts on his cellphone. Investigators searched Ayala’s residence and seized electronic devices, including an iPhone containing numerous videos and images of the abuse.
Ayala pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, and production of child pornography, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30 by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver.
Since March 9, 2024, Ayala has been detained following his arrest on related state charges.
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 is prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan expressed gratitude to the State’s Attorney’s Offices for Hartford and Tolland Judicial Districts for their cooperation in this case.
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 visit www.justice.gov/psc or report cases at www.cybertipline.com.
