A Fort Wainwright soldier was sentenced on Apr. 3 to 32 years in prison for possessing and producing thousands of images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The sentencing underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address online child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from abuse.
Court documents show that the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in September 2024, reporting that five images depicting CSAM were uploaded to Discord. The investigation led authorities to David Andres Mayoral, whose electronic devices and accounts contained over 2,500 images and more than 680 videos of CSAM, along with an additional 1,000 computer-generated or artificial intelligence images. Some materials depicted violent acts against children.
Authorities also found evidence that Mayoral communicated with adults and minors across various social media platforms about distributing CSAM, rape, violence, sadistic behavior, encouraging self-mutilation, and attempting to obtain information for potential kidnappings. He admitted to sexually abusing a nine-year-old victim.
Mayoral was arrested at Fort Wainwright in March 2025. He pleaded guilty later that year to three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession. After his prison term ends, he will be under supervised release for life.
“Mr. Mayoral hid behind the perceived anonymity of the internet and exploited children for his own sick desires,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “He was unable to hide from the dedicated law enforcement that ultimately uncovered his perversions. He will now spend over three decades behind bars.”
“Mayoral’s predatory crimes against children, both online and offline, were depraved and an affront to our society,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office.
Special Agent in Charge Michele Starostka added: “Mayoral betrayed the Army’s core values by preying upon and exploiting our most precious and vulnerable… This sentencing is a result of Army CID’s relentless commitment to protecting our communities from child predators.”
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Army CID investigated this case as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
