Court Hands Down Maximum Sentence for “House of Horrors” Child Exploitation
In a case that shocked communities across Georgia, a couple received a combined sentence of 100 years without parole for systematically abusing their two adopted special needs sons and producing illicit materials. The ruling marks the conclusion of one of the state’s most disturbing child exploitation cases in recent history.
William and Zachary Zulock, 34 and 36, were each sentenced last week to 100 years in prison without the possibility of parole, the Walton County District Attorney’s office announced.
Investigation reveals systematic abuse
The case first came to light in 2022 when Walton County deputies began investigating suspicious content uploaded to a Google account. The investigation led them to Hunter Lawless, who provided crucial evidence linking the material to Zachary Zulock. Further investigation uncovered a pattern of abuse involving both Zachary and William Dale Zulock against their adopted sons, aged 12 and 10.
Digital trail exposes extent of crimes
Evidence gathered from social media platforms revealed the calculated nature of the abuse. According to the New York Post, digital communications showed premeditated acts of abuse, with Zachary Zulock explicitly messaging about planned assaults through Snapchat. The investigation also revealed that the couple had distributed explicit materials documenting the abuse.
District Attorney Randy McGinley emphasized the exceptional nature of the case in his statement to WSB-TV: “These two defendants truly created a house of horrors and put their extremely dark desires above everything and everyone else.” He added, “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. The resolve I have seen from these two young victims over the last two years is truly inspiring.”
Both defendants pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges, including aggravated sodomy, sexual exploitation of children, and child molestation. The 100-year sentence without possibility of parole reflects the severity of their crimes and ensures they will never have the opportunity to harm another child.
The case has sparked discussions about adoption screening processes and the need for enhanced monitoring systems to protect vulnerable children in adoptive situations.