A Manchester man has been sentenced to nearly three decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to a charge tied to an investigation alleging he sexually assaulted a girl for more than eight years and recorded the abuse.
Hernan Ayala, 33, was handed down a 29-year prison term, followed by 40 years of supervised release, when he faced sentencing in federal court in Hartford on Oct. 30, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release Monday.
The sentencing was part of a plea deal Ayala accepted in July, when he pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
The investigation began in March 2024 when the Manchester Police Department received a complaint alleging that a girl had been sexually abused by Ayala, federal officials said. The girl alleged that Ayala had engaged in sexual conduct with her for more than eight years and that he recorded the abuse on his cellphone, according to officials.
Investigators obtained a warrant the same day they received the complaint to search Ayala’s residence and seized several electronic devices, including his iPhone, when it was carried out. According to officials, an analysis of the phone turned up numerous videos and photos of Ayala sexually abusing the girl.
Ayala has been in custody since he was arrested on related state charges on March 9, 2024. According to court records, charges of sexual assault, possession of child porn, tampering with evidence and illegal sexual contact with a minor remain pending in Hartford Superior Court.
Ayala had pleaded not guilty to those charges, records show.