Zachary Claunch

Name:
Claunch, Zachary Wallace

Date of Booking:
05/30/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR FINGERPRINTABLE CHARGE – FELONY

OBSCENE INTERNET CONTACT WITH A CHILD AT LEAST 14 YOA AND OFFENDER IS 18 OR YOUNGER

FURNISH OBSCENE MATERIAL TO A MINOR WHEN MINOR ATLEAST 14 YOA AND DEF 18 YOA OR YOUNGER

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN – POSSESSION OF CHILD PRONOGRAPHY – 5 Counts

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on February 12, 2024]

On February 12, 2024, Deputy Motes responded to 160 Windmill Farm Road (Banks County Sheriffs Office) in reference to a walk-in report.

Once on scene, Deputy Motes spoke with the complainant [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] works at Xaris Café in Maysville, Ga and on February 9, 2024, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] overheard (15 yoa speaking with the business owner about some issues [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has had recently. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (16 yoa [REDACTED BY AGENCY] are adoptive children of [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] have approximately seven adoptive children at their residence, as well as a few biological children. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] heard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] tell the business owner Mr. Claunch [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has been sending nude photographs via phone to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] as of late.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] overheard [REDACTED BY AGENCY] also stated Mr. Claunch has performed sexual acts with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] the business owner of Xaris Café is [REDACTED BY AGENCY] with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] they do not wish to get involved in the situation. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] also told [REDACTED BY AGENCY] brought the issues up to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] in the past but [REDACTED BY AGENCY] does not want to get Mr. Claunch in trouble. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] does believe Mr. Claunch lives at the residence with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] as well as the juveniles.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] (biological [REDACTED BY AGENCY] of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has photographs on phone of injuries of juveniles who live at the residence caused by [REDACTED BY AGENCY] beating them. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] has attempted to report the issue in the past but did not have enough evidence of the beatings, but would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement and provide the photographs if requested.

[REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] did not wish to make the report due to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] being employed at the café and worried [REDACTED BY AGENCY] would lose [REDACTED BY AGENCY] job. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] contacted [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and requested [REDACTED BY AGENCY] make the report for [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

A possible address of the residence where [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and possibly Mr. Claunch live was located in RMS [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was unsure of the address. No further information could be provided by [REDACTED BY AGENCY].

Sent to Investigator Alford for further.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on February 13, 2024]

On February 13, 2024, Inv. Alford was assigned this case. Inv. Alford traveled to Banks County High School and met with Ms. [REDACTED], the school counselor. Due to the circumstances, Inv. Alford and Ms. [REDACTED] interviewed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and Zackary sent each other nude photographs several months ago. When [REDACTED BY AGENCY] discovered the picture, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] confronted Zackary; however, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated the photographs were from the internet, so [REDACTED BY AGENCY] destroyed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] phone. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] denied any other sexual abuse.

Inv. Alford and Ms. [REDACTED] interviewed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] and [REDACTED BY AGENCY] became upset when questioned about the allegation. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] denied all allegations of sexual abuse.

Afterward, Inv. Alford interviewed [REDACTED BY AGENCY] mother. She stated she keeps the children separated and she was working on evicting Zackary from the residence. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated she would contact law enforcement if she had any information on any possible abuse.

Afterward, Inv. Alford contacted [REDACTED BY AGENCY] the initial outcry witness. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] was previously married to Zachary, and they divorced because he had an affair with a male. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] denied any knowledge of [REDACTED BY AGENCY] disclosure. Due to the lack of information, this case will be closed.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #3 on May 30, 2026]

On May 30, 2026 I, Cpl. Barber, responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] Thomas Ln in reference to a warrant service.

I received information that Zachary Claunch was spotted at the Petro truck stop in Carnesville several days ago. I then advised Franklin County Deputies. Franklin County later called me and stated they had an address where Zach was staying.

We arrived on scene and knocked on the camper door, but couldn’t get anyone to the door. Franklin County then made contact with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] the owner of the camper, who advised he was broken down on the side of the road on Hwy 63 near Bennett Rd. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] told deputies over the phone he had not seen Zach in several weeks. I then responded to [REDACTED BY AGENCY] location to confirm that Zach was not with him. While talking with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] it was learned that Zach was in fact hiding in the camper. I then gave [REDACTED BY AGENCY] a courtesy ride back to his camper so he could get Zach to come out peacefully.

After arriving back on scene at the camper, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] went inside and got Zach to come out with his hands up. Zach was placed into handcuffs that were checked for fit and double locked. Zach was then seat belted into the rear of my vehicle and transported to the Banks County Jail without incident. The back seat of my vehicle was searched before and after Zach’s transport.

[End of Narrative]