Attorney General Peter F. Neronha stated today that a Pawtucket Pedophile, Jose Perez Ayala, has been convicted in Providence County Superior Court of numerous charges of child abuse.
On June 16, 2025, after a five-day trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Joseph A. Montalbano, a jury convicted Jose Perez Ayala (age 49) of one count of first-degree child molestation and three charges of second-degree child molestation.
“This victim demonstrated exceptional strength and resiliency in coming forward, and throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said Attorney General Neronha. “We must support victims by creating safe environments for them to tell their stories. In doing so, victims may heal and we may bring perpetrators to justice. I am grateful to the Pawtucket Police Department and the prosecutors in my Office for their hard work on this difficult case, and to the jury for getting it right.”
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2011 and 2015, the defendant, Jose Perez Ayala, sexually assaulted a juvenile female victim who was known to him.
“I am grateful for the victim’s courage throughout this process which allowed us to hold this perpetrator accountable,” said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. “I thank our detectives and our partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their investigation and prosecutorial work.”
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.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.