Online predator sentenced after sexual relationship with minor

FRANKLIN COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a 28-year-old man from Mount Vernon has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. According to information presented in court, Zachary Arzola met the victim through social media in September 2022 when she was 14 and eventually traveled to Ohio to meet her in December 2022.

While in Ohio, Arzola provided the victim’s family with a falsified driver’s license that presented him as a 16-year-old. Arzola later returned to Ohio in 2023, where he picked up the victim from her home and took her back to Texas with him.

After returning to Texas with the victim, Mount Vernon Police discovered Arzola and the victim at his house. Arzola later admitted in court documents that he persuaded the victim to have a sexual relationship with him.

After pleading guilty to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, he was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison on Thursday.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs spoke about the case and how it should make parents aware of the kinds of dangers their children could be facing while on social media.

“The sentence he received should serve as a warning to other online predators that they will get caught, and they will face justice,” Combs said. “Parents around our country should take note of the ease with which Arzola was able to exploit technology to lure an innocent child into danger.”