Police find teen girl under hidden trap door in Kentucky man's home

A Kentucky man is facing a long list of charges after deputies said a missing teen was found behind a hidden trap door at his home.

Lincoln County deputies were called over Christmas about an altercation between the caller’s son, 34-year-old Zackary Jones, and a person the caller described as Jones' "girlfriend.”

When deputies got there, Jones told them the female subject wasn’t there.

As Jones took the deputies through the home, deputies said they could see evidence of drug use in plain view, and Jones tried to dispose of it in a wood stove.

The deputies took Jones into custody then went back inside to look for the female.

Deputies found her inside a trap door that was hidden under a rug in Jones’ bedroom.

The 16-year-old was reported missing in North Carolina earlier in December. The girl told deputies that Jones had picked her up in North Carolina and brought her back to Kentucky to the home about 20 miles south of Lexington.

The deputies said she appeared to be “very high” when she was found. According to the citation, Jones admitted to doing drugs with the teen and having a sexual relationship with her.

Jones is facing more than a dozen Kentucky charges, including rape, assault, strangulation, and unlawful transactions with a minor. Charges are also pending against Jones in connection with the situation in North Carolina. 

The arrest citation says that the teenager's guardian will be also be facing charges in North Carolina.




(Photo: Lincoln County Sheriff's office)