Zachary Jones, a volunteer youth wrestling coach, is accused of child molestation and lying about having cancer to raise money. (Livingston County Jail)
A youth wrestling coach in Michigan has been accused of raping a 13-year-old boy and lying about having cancer to steal money from his community, police say.
Zachary Jones, 21, was arraigned Tuesday on several felony charges, including four counts of criminal sexual conduct and one count of identity theft, the Livingston Daily reports.
“Zack was called in for an interview,” Howell Police Detective Don Banfield said in court Tuesday. “During the interview, it was discovered Mr. Jones did not have leukemia and was never diagnosed with leukemia.”
In a separate case uncovered while the alleged fraud was under investigation, police say Jones raped the 13-year-old boy at his home in Howell, the Livingston Daily reports.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Is Accused of Giving the Victim Alcohol & Chewing Tobacco to ‘Break Down His Defenses’
Livingston County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas said during Jones’ court appearance that he gave alcohol and chewing tobacco to the boy to, “break down the child’s defenses, which allowed him to engage in this sexual contact,” according to the Livingston Daily.
The alleged assaults occurred between June and September 2015, police say.
It is not know if the victim was part of the wrestling teams Jones coached.
2. Thousands of Dollars Were Raised Through Fundraisers Organized to Help Him ‘Fight Leukemia’
A T-shirt sold to support Jones’ fight against cancer. (Facebook)
A spaghetti dinner, a You Caring site and other fundraisers raised thousands of dollars for Zack Jones’ battle against leukemia, which he never had, police say. According to investigators he only actually received about $200 to $300 of the money raised before the fraud was uncovered.
Jones said he was diagnosed with cancer in September. A close family member posted on Twitter that month about Jones, “Full diagnosis: Stage 4 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Very low ‘survival chance’ by docs, high hopes and much faith.”
An online fundraiser on YouCaring.com set up soon after his “diagnosis” raised more than $3,000. Jones’ family also sold bracelets and T-shirts.
“Donated funds will be used solely for Zack’s care and medical bills not covered by Medicaid,” the YouCaring.com page says.
(Twitter)
On October 1, a benefit dinner was held to raise money for Jones.
“Zachary Jones is a young man that has changed many lives. At the age of 21, he has made a huge impact on the wrestling community, family, friends, and COWORKERS. He always has made it a goal to help others achieve their goals and make others smile,” an advertisement for the benefit said. “We are going to treat his battle like a wrestling match. He is going to pin cancer to the mat and get his hand raised in VICTORY!!! In order to make it through the whole journey, we are asking for some donations. The treatments are not fully covered by his insurance, so all proceeds go directly towards his medical bills he will incur during his treatment.”
Jones worked at a local car dealership.
3. He Had a Family Member Pretend to be a Doctor as Part of the Cancer Fraud, Police Say
(Facebook)
Police Detective Don Banfield said in court Tuesday that Jones created a fraudulent doctor’s not to confirm his leukemia diagnosis when people became suspicious, the Livingston Daily reports.
Prosecutor Pamela Maas said in court that Jones had a family member “portray a doctor,” to convince people he was actually sick. Maas did not identify the family member.
According to a Facebook post advertising the fundraising dinner for Jones, he told people doctors said he had cancer for two years before his diagnosis. He also said he began treatments on September 15.
4. He Volunteered at a Local Middle School & Coached a Youth Team
A photo of Jones during his own wrestling career, which was used to advertise a fundraiser to help him fight cancer. (Facebook)
Jones was the head wrestling coach at Highlander Way Middle School in Howell, a volunteer position.
“All of our volunteers, teachers and staff members go through a criminal background check,” Tom Gould, a spokesman for Howell Public Schools, told Fox 2 Detroit. “This individual’s background check came back clean.”
The school district sent out a letter to parents about Jones’ arrest.
Jones was also one of the lead coaches for the Howell Hurricanes, a local youth team.
He is still wrestling in an older division, and in 2015 was named the Wrestler of the Year by Michigan USA Wrestling.
“As captain of the Hurricanes, Zack has proven himself not only a dynamic wrestler but also as an integral part of the grass roots Olympic movement in the state. He is beloved among his program and sets himself as a great role model for his youth wrestlers,” the organization said in a now-deleted post announcing the award.
“Zack had dedicated his life to helping young people achieve their goals,” his family said in a YouCaring.com page set up to raise money for his cancer fight.
His team donated $200 to the fundraiser, writing, “You got this coach Zack!!! Shoot a double and pin cancer!!!! Love, Your Howell Hurricanes Wrestling Family!! #HurricaneStrong.”
Several other local youth teams also donated money on the fundraising site.
5. He Is Being Held on $2 Million Bail & Is Facing Up to Life in Prison
(Facebook)
Zack Jones is being held at Livingston County Jail on $2 million bail. If convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, he faces up to life in prison, according to the Livingston Daily.
Members of the community told Fox 2 Detroit they feel betrayed.
“I hope he gets to do time,” she said. “And I hope he doesn’t get a slight slap on the wrist. I hope he gets what he deserves.”
“It’s too close to home with people having cancer, real cancer, you see them suffering,” his neighbor, David Cuffe, told the news station. “For him to start perpetrating that, that’s just like a sin on top of a sin. You don’t go doing that and especially wanting money. It’s one thing if you want sympathy from people, but not free money.”
