Who are William and Zachary Zulock? Couple Sentenced to 100 Years for Abusing Adopted Children
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| Couple sentenced to 100 years without parole for sexually abusing adopted children in Walton County |
The sentencing, handed down by a judge last Thursday, marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation and legal process that uncovered harrowing details of the couple's crimes.
The Convictions
The Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, which oversees Walton and Newton counties, announced that both William and Zachary Zulock were convicted of multiple charges:
William Zulock: Six counts of aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of sexual exploitation of children, and other sexual offenses.
Zachary Zulock: Two counts of aggravated sodomy, three counts of aggravated child molestation, two counts of sodomy, three counts of sexual exploitation of children, two counts of pandering for a person under 18, and additional sexual offenses.
William Zulock pled guilty to all charges in August 2023. Zachary Zulock also pled guilty to every charge except one, which was adjudicated in a bench trial and resulted in a guilty verdict.
The Investigation
The case began in July 2022 when the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit alerted the Walton County Sheriff’s Office to a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip involved suspected homemade child sexual abuse material uploaded to a Google account linked to an IP address in Walton County.
Upon searching the home associated with the IP address, investigators arrested Hunter Lawless, who admitted to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Lawless also confessed that he had received explicit material from Zachary Zulock. Lawless pled guilty to sexual exploitation of children and received a 20-year sentence, with 12 years to be served in prison.
Further investigation led authorities to the Zulocks’ home, where they discovered horrifying evidence. The couple admitted to sexually abusing the two boys they had adopted years earlier.
Uncovering the Crimes
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| The couple allegedly used the children to film child pornography |
The investigation revealed the depth of the abuse through two weeks of surveillance footage taken from the Zulocks' home. The footage captured multiple instances of abuse in various rooms of the house. Additionally, the couple’s cell phones contained graphic material and incriminating text and social media messages detailing the abuse.
One particularly damning piece of evidence was a series of messages exchanged between Zachary Zulock and Luis Vizcarro-Sanchez. Vizcarro-Sanchez later pled guilty to pandering for a person under 18, as well as to unrelated charges of theft from his workplace. He was sentenced to 16 years, with 15 years to be served in prison.
Statements from the Authorities
District Attorney Randy McGinley condemned the Zulocks’ actions, stating:
“These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else. However, the depth of the defendants’ depravity, which is as deep as it gets, is not greater than the resolve of those that fought for justice and the strength of the victims in this case.”
McGinley also praised the resilience of the victims:
“The resolve I have seen from these two young victims over the last two years is truly inspiring.”
Community and Legal Reactions
The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for systemic reforms to protect children in the adoption system. McGinley emphasized the critical role of adoptive parents in providing safe and loving homes but underscored the need for harsh penalties for those who betray that trust.
“It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for our society to have individuals willing to adopt children in need,” McGinley stated. “But anyone who does so and then abuses those children deserves extremely harsh consequences and decades in prison.”
The Victims and the Road Ahead
The abuse has left deep emotional and psychological scars on the two young victims. Advocates and child welfare organizations are working to provide them with counseling and long-term support to aid in their recovery. While the sentencing offers a sense of justice, the trauma inflicted on the children will require years of healing and dedicated care.
Systemic Failures and the Need for Reform
This case has reignited discussions about flaws in the child welfare and adoption systems. Advocacy groups are calling for:
- Stronger Screening Processes: Comprehensive background checks for prospective adoptive parents, including psychological evaluations.
- Regular Monitoring: Mandatory check-ins by social workers to ensure children’s safety and well-being.
- Improved Reporting Mechanisms: Accessible, anonymous avenues for children to report abuse.
Conclusion
The 100-year sentences imposed on William and Zachary Zulock send a powerful message: crimes of this nature will not be tolerated, and justice will be served. However, the case also serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in the adoption system.
Efforts to reform child welfare policies and increase vigilance are imperative to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The courage of the young victims in coming forward and the resolve of law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice offer hope that, despite the darkness of this case, a brighter, safer future for all children is possible.
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