LEXINGTON, KY — A 34-year-old man from Kentucky is facing a series of felony charges after authorities discovered a missing 16-year-old girl from North Carolina concealed inside a trap door in his bedroom. Zackary Keith Jones was arrested on Christmas Day and now stands accused of multiple offenses, including rape, sodomy, assault, and false imprisonment. The shocking discovery occurred following a domestic violence call at Jones’ residence on Robertstown Road in Lincoln County.
Jones allegedly attempted to hide evidence of drug use by discarding items into a wood stove in his bedroom. Subsequently, law enforcement found the trapped teenager during their search of the property. According to reports, the girl was under the influence of substances when found.
The victim divulged that she had met Jones online, where he had claimed to be 19 years old. The man then traveled to North Carolina, picked her up from her grandmother’s house, and transported her back to Kentucky. Upon reaching Jones’ residence, she learned the truth about his age and faced threats to lie about her own age to his family, or else he would harm her with a firearm.
Jones currently remains in custody without bond at the Pulaski County Jail. It is expected that he will also face additional criminal charges in North Carolina.