Zarian Dyer arrested on eight charges after Reddit chats reveal planned assault

A 23-year-old Buckeye man was arrested Thursday on eight charges after police determined he coordinated a stranger to sexually assault his fiancée. The plan was laid out in messages on Reddit, according to court documents released by the Buckeye Police Department.

Adrian Ayala, 20, was arrested on October 17 after an assault at a home near Southern Avenue and Miller Road. The victim reported that an unknown man entered her house on the evening of October 16 and choked her while she was alone with her two children. Ayala was identified through license plate camera data and vehicle records. Police tracked him to his residence in Goodyear and took him into custody the following day.

During the attack, Ayala told the victim that her partner had sent him to sexually assault her. Home security video captured Ayala stating that he met the victim’s partner on Reddit. The victim fought back, escaping the house to confront Ayala in the driveway. A neighbor heard the screams and helped the victim return to the home to call police. The toddler, who was 17 months old at the time, was kicked and hit her head on a baby gate.

Zarian Dyer, the victim’s fiancé, was at a grocery store during the incident. He returned home and chased Ayala down the street. Dyer was arrested Thursday morning while at work near Roosevelt Street and Verrado Way. He faces charges including aggravated assault, sexual abuse, sexual assault, kidnapping, and conspiracy. His bond was set at $500,000.

Detectives searched devices belonging to both men and found evidence that Dyer and Ayala had been communicating about the planned assault. Messages from Dyer’s Reddit account showed him telling Ayala he wanted someone to force themselves on his fiancée. Dyer asked Ayala if he was "down" and instructed him to do it anyway if the victim fought back.

The prosecutor alleged that Dyer encouraged Ayala to go to the house where his fiancée would be alone and unsuspecting. He reportedly instructed Ayala to FaceTime him during the attack. The messages discussed timing, directions, and Dyer giving Ayala "consent" because he owned the victim and her body. Investigators noted that Dyer installed the Reddit app and then uninstalled it on the day of the attack.

When questioned by police, Dyer described the setup as "bullcrap" and denied being involved. He claimed he would never have anyone hurt the victim. However, home video showed Dyer sitting in his car for 44 seconds after arriving before he chased Ayala. Police showed Dyer the Reddit messages, which he described as "disgusting."

Court documents noted that it was unreasonable for a stranger to know specific details about the family, including the address and that children were present. A video from Fry’s showed Dyer at a gas pump while sending a Reddit message saying, "I’m getting gas." His phone logged a $20 fuel purchase at 5:50 p.m., matching the time of the message.

Detective Carissa Planalp said the family experienced a terrifying situation. "We’re fortunate that the injuries were not serious," Planalp stated. "But investigators knew that they had to develop the information they needed to hold those accountable."

Dyer declined to participate in a polygraph exam regarding the Reddit messages. He remained quiet with his head down when confronted with the evidence, according to court paperwork.