Pawtucket man sentenced to 17 years for child molestation
Published on Wednesday, September 03, 2025
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Pawtucket man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 17 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for multiple counts of child molestation.
On September 2, 2025, Superior Court Justice Joseph A. Montalbano sentenced Jose Perez Ayala (age 49) to 40 years with 17 years to serve and 40 years of probation. Additionally, Judge Montalbano issued a no contact order between the defendant and the victim and ordered the defendant register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling, and be subject to community supervision.
On June 13, 2025, a jury found the defendant guilty of one count of first-degree child molestation and three counts of second-degree child molestation.
“After enduring years of trauma, this victim demonstrated enormous bravery throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Attorney General Neronha. “By supporting every victim and empowering them to come forward and seek justice, we make our communities safer, one case at a time. I am grateful to the prosecutors in my office and the Pawtucket Police Department for their partnership on this difficult case.”
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2011 and 2015, the defendant sexually assaulted a juvenile female victim who was known to him.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and secure environment,” said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. “Because of this victim’s courage, we have held this perpetrator accountable, and he will serve a significant sentence. I thank our detectives and our partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Special Assistant Attorneys General Megan Andrews and Meagan Thomson of the Attorney General’s Office and Detective Sergeant Andrew Torres of the Pawtucket Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.
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