Youth wrestling coach Zachary Jones charged with rape, lying about having cancer

Authorities in Livingston County, Michigan say they have arrested and charged a youth wrestling coach with lying about having cancer to collect money from the community and child molestation involving a 13-year-old.

According to the Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas, Zachary Phillip Jones, 21, who coached Howell Hurricanes youth wrestling team was arraigned Tuesday on several felony charges, including four counts of criminal sexual conduct and one count of identity theft, the Livingston Daily reports.

“Zach 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, Jones was arraigned on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second-degree CSC for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old boy between June and September.

Maas told the court that Jones gave the teenager alcohol and chewing tobacco as he tried to “break down the child’s defenses, which allowed him to engage in this sexual contact.”

Jones, who is currently in the Livingston County Jail, faces up to life in prison if he is convicted as charged.