A 16-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was discovered on Christmas Day in a shocking turn of events. The teenager was found hidden under a trap door inside a man's home in Kentucky. The man, identified as Zackary Jones, now faces a multitude of charges including assault, strangulation, rape, and unlawful transaction with a minor.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) became involved when Jones' mother called to report an altercation between her son and his girlfriend. Deputies were dispatched to the scene and conducted a walk-through of the residence. Initially denying the presence of a girl in the house, Jones eventually allowed the officers to continue their search.

During the search, drug paraphernalia was discovered and Jones attempted to dispose of it by throwing it into a wood stove. The officers promptly detained him and removed him from the premises. They resumed their investigation and made a chilling discovery when they found the missing teenager concealed behind a cutout door in a bedroom, covered by a rug.

Further investigation revealed that the girl had been reported missing on December 6, 2022. The deputies learned from computer records that she had been communicating with Jones online before he drove from Kentucky to Fayetteville to pick her up from her grandmother's house. Although he initially claimed to be 19 years old, she noticed he appeared older upon meeting him. Jones confessed that he had misrepresented his age and corrected it to 25. However, it was later revealed to the girl that he was actually 34.

According to the victim, she was subjected to sexual acts and violence at the hands of Jones. She alleged that he strangled her during the assaults and forced her to engage in drug use, including crack and marijuana. When authorities approached her, they noticed she appeared to be under the influence and immediately took her to the hospital for medical attention.

Jones, after being read his Miranda rights, admitted to engaging in sexual activities with the teenager multiple times. However, he denied choking her, although visible marks were found on her neck. The victim also revealed that she was threatened with a gun and coerced into portraying herself as an 18-year-old.

In addition to the charges related to the assault and sexual acts, Jones now faces allegations of threatening a law enforcement officer. The girl claimed that Jones threatened to kill a Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop.

Zackary Jones remains in custody, awaiting his court appearance. The LCSO officials have commended their deputies for their swift action in locating the missing teenager and apprehending the suspect. The victim is receiving ongoing support and care as she recovers from the harrowing ordeal she endured.