A soldier stationed at Fort Wainwright was arrested following a criminal complaint filed in federal court, charging him with production and possession of child pornography. The arrest took place on the military base after an investigation led by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (DACID) and the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
Court documents reveal that on September 11, 2024, DACID's Fort Eustis Resident Unit received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip reported five images of alleged child sexual abuse material uploaded to an online platform. After reviewing these images, DACID confirmed they depicted prepubescent female children.
Further investigation resulted in search warrants executed in October 2024 at David Andres Mayoral's residence. Forensic examination of his electronic devices allegedly uncovered over 2,500 images and more than 680 videos of suspected child sexual abuse material. Additionally, Mayoral is accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with minors, directing them to send explicit photos.
Mayoral faces three counts of production and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Michele Starostka from DACID Western Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day from the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
The investigation continues as authorities urge anyone with information regarding Mayoral or who may have encountered someone using the name "David Mayoral" or "ghoulishclown" online to contact DACID at (907)353-6212 or submit tips anonymously via their website.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carly Vosacek and Jennifer Ivers are prosecuting this case under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.