Kentucky man Zackary Jones arrested after police find missing 16-year-old girl

A missing teenage girl was found locked behind a trap door inside the Kentucky house of a 34-year-old man who allegedly raped and assaulted her after she vanished from her home several states away earlier this month.

The 16-year-old victim was rescued from the home of Zackary Jones on Christmas Day after she was reported missing in early December from her North Carolina home, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said.

She was found by officers behind a hidden trap door covered by a rug in Jones’ bedroom, according to an arrest report obtained by local outlets.

Deputies initially visited the house after Jones’ mother called authorities about a fight between her adult son and his “girlfriend,” WTVQ reported.

When law enforcement arrived, Jones claimed the girl wasn’t there, but officers quickly cuffed him after spotting drug paraphernalia out in the open.

Deputies placed in a patrol car and then scoured the house for the “girlfriend.” They found her in the hidden compartment and realized she was the missing North Carolina teen. She appeared “very high,” WKYT reported.

The victim told the sheriff’s office that Jones sexually assaulted her and the two used crack cocaine together, according to the arrest citation obtained by WCNC.

When Jones first made contact with the girl, he claimed he was only 19, the victim said.

But when he reached his home with her, she found out his real age. Jones allegedly threatened her and forced her to tell his family she was 18, the citation alleges.

The teen also said they were pulled over by a cop driving back from North Carolina for a traffic violation, and Jones said he would shoot the officer if they were asked to get out of the car, the citation alleges.

Jones allegedly admitted to deputies that he had sex with the teen after picking her up from her home, according to the citation.

Jones is facing charges of rape, sodomy, assault, strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, terroristic threatening, unlawful transaction with a minor and various drug-related counts, according to reports.

He could face more charges as the investigation continues, including in North Carolina.