Fiancé charged after hiring stranger to assault partner in Buckeye

Zarian Dyer, 23, was arrested in Arizona on Thursday following an investigation into a planned sexual assault at his fiancée's home in Buckeye. The case involves allegations that Dyer recruited 20-year-old Adrian Ayala to attack the woman, who was home alone with her two children on Oct. 16.

Police records indicate that Ayala arrived at the residence around 6 p.m. shortly after Dyer left to purchase groceries. The victim told investigators that she found a stranger poking his head through the front door. Her two-month-old son was asleep in a bedroom, and her 17-month-old daughter stood behind her as she confronted the man. Ayala allegedly asked to use the bathroom before kicking the door open and forcing his way inside.

According to court records, Ayala began choking the woman by grabbing her neck. The struggle moved into the bathroom, where Ayala locked the door and attempted to undo the button on the woman's pants before groping her. The victim eventually pulled Ayala back outside into the front yard, where home security footage shows her pushing him away and slapping his face.

During the physical struggle in the driveway, Ayala told the woman that her boyfriend had said she would enjoy the encounter. The victim chased Ayala down the street as he fled the neighborhood. Police located and arrested Ayala the next day at his home in Goodyear, approximately 15 miles from the crime scene.

Detectives later discovered that Dyer had masterminded the incident. Ayala claimed he met Dyer online and agreed to the plan to assault the fiancée. Investigators seized both men's electronic devices and found communications detailing the arrangement. Dyer now faces charges including aggravated assault, sexual abuse, attempted sexual assault, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Ayala is charged with kidnapping, sexual abuse, burglary, and aggravated assault.

Ayala made his first court appearance on Oct. 18. His attorney argued that the client believed he was participating in a role-play scenario and lacked the intent to commit a felony. The judge set Ayala's trial date for April 1, 2027. Records do not yet show a court date for Dyer. Investigators have not determined what motivated Dyer to orchestrate the attack on his partner.