Discord user pleads guilty to distributing child pornography involving infants and toddlers

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 24-year-old Corpus Christi man has admitting to sending videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

In August 2020, authorities had linked Krystian Dari Ayala to a Discord account found to be sending child pornography. Discord is an application where users can chat, send pictures and videos to others and allows them to join chat rooms for specific topics.

The investigation resulted in a search of Ayala’s Discord account. It confirmed he had sent videos of child pornography to other Discord users. The investigation led authorities to Corpus Christi residence where they conducted a search and seized numerous electronic devices, some of which contained child pornography.

Ayala admitted he had utilized his cellphone to access the Discord application to distribute child pornography, some of which depicted the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

Sentencing has been set for June 16 before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. At that time, Ayala faces a mandatory minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Ayala has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Washington State Police, Corpus Christi Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Popejoy is prosecuting the case which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.