A Gridley man who reportedly met a Colusa adolescent for sex purposes pleaded no contest on Monday to committing a lewd act upon a child under 14.
Anthony Lee Ayala, 45, admitted there was a factual basis to the charge in exchange for the District Attorney dismissing a more serious felony.
Ayala was arrested by the Colusa Police Department on Aug. 27, after they executed a search warrant at his residence in the 1700 block of Hazel Street, in Gridley. The District Attorney charged Ayala with two felonies, after the girl’s mother discovered inappropriate communications between him and her daughter.
Ayala, who is not a registered sex offender, originally claimed he and the girl met on an online dating website, where the victim posed as an 18-year-old. The two later met at a Colusa park and engaged in sexual activity, officials said.
In exchange for his plea, Chief Deputy District Attorney Brenden Farrell dismissed a charge that Ayala used force or fear to commit the act.
Ayala, represented by Marysville attorney Roberto Marquez, is facing three years in state prison, per the terms of his plea deal, or up to eight years maximum when he is sentenced on March 7.
Under Senate Bill 384, which went into effect in 2021, Ayala will be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years, as opposed to lifetime registration as was prior to California’s laws granting relief for certain mid-level sex offenses, including lewd contact with children. ■