Zackary K. Jones, 35, of Kings Mountain, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 194 months (16.2 years) in prison “for transporting a minor over state lines with the intent that the minor engage in sexual activity,” the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky said.
He must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence.
Upon deputies arriving, Jones told police the female was not at the residence. As Jones escorted police through the home, deputies observed drug paraphernalia containing cocaine residue in plain view, as Jones tried to toss the paraphernalia into a wood burning stove. Police then detained Jones and placed him in the back of a cruiser.
Police reentered the home and began searching for the female juvenile, who was found inside a secret room under a trap door which was hidden beneath a rug in Jones’ bedroom.
The girl, police discovered, was reported missing from North Carolina in early December 2023. She informed police that Jones had picked her up in North Carolina and brought her back to Kentucky. Deputies added that the girl appeared to be “very high.”
The girl additionally told police that Jones had assaulted and strangled her and threatened to kill her multiple times. She also told investigators that Jones told her to tell people she was 18.
Under questioning, Jones admitted to bringing the girl back to Kentucky, doing drugs with the girl, and having a sexual relationship with the victim.
Jones was initially charged with multiple state counts, including two counts of unlawful transaction with a minor, first-degree strangulation, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, 10 counts of third-degree rape, 10 counts of third-degree sodomy, procuring or promoting the use of a minor in a sex act by electronic means, possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence, third-degree terroristic threatening, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
