People v. Ayala CA6

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A 14-year-old girl told other girls at a sleepover that Ayala made her feel uncomfortable by making comments toward her and instances in which he touched her. These girls disclosed that Ayala had engaged in similar actions toward them that made

1 Unspecified statutory references are to the Penal Code. them feel uncomfortable. The alleged actions took place at the church the girls attended. Ayala lived at the church and operated the church’s audio system. Ayala’s criminal history included convictions in 1995 for lewd acts upon a child, and in 2015 for dissuading a witness from testifying. The prosecution charged Ayala by amended information with 10 counts of various offenses concerning five minor girls. The amended information alleged Ayala had suffered two prior strike convictions (§§ 667, subd. (e)(2), 1170.12, subd. (c)(2)), and as to two counts, it alleged Ayala had suffered a prior sex offense conviction (§ 667.51, subd. (a)). The amended information also alleged five circumstances in aggravation: (1) the victims were particularly vulnerable (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.421(a)(3)); (2) the manner in which Ayala carried out the offenses…