Lisa Roose-Church

Livingston (Mich.) Daily Press & Argus

LIVINGSTON, Mich. -- A 13-year-old boy molested by a youth wrestling coach he idolized told a judge Thursday he hopes the coach dies in prison.

The boy’s statement came in a letter read by the chief assistant prosecutor, who asked the judge to give Zachary Phillip Jones, 21, a life sentence.

“I hope after your sentence, the next time I hear your name it’s someone telling me you died,” the teen victim told Jones in the letter.

Jones, who tattooed his victim’s name on his chest, was sentenced to 15-40 years in prison for two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and 10-15 years for second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Jones, a then-coach with the Howell Hurricanes Wrestling Club, also was sentenced to 23 months to five years in prison for identity theft and false pretenses for lying about a leukemia diagnosis. The sentences run concurrent.

Police: Rapist claimed to be officer

“I betrayed my family, friends and people I’ve never met before. I am so very sorry,” Jones said, his voice breaking with tears, “for the grief I caused this past year. I can only hope you guys find it in your hearts to forgive me one day."

Jacob Henry, a youth wrestler who attended the sentencing hearing, said he was angry when he learned about Jones’ lies. Henry and his family attended and donated to some of the fundraisers for the coach.

“I don’t think the sentence was long enough,” Henry said, adding he believes a life sentence is more appropriate.

Howell police said Jones lied to community members who set up “multiple fundraisers” to assist him because they believed his story that he was dying from leukemia.

Jones shaved his head and created a fraudulent doctor’s note, purporting to confirm the leukemia diagnosis when people became suspicious of his claims.

Jones’ family also believed his lies, and they showed their support by getting tattoos with red ribbons and his name. They also participated in one fundraiser.

Authorities believe Jones possibly received between $200-300 from the fundraisers while more than $1,000 had been donated. The remaining funds did not make it to Jones’ account, authorities said.

Defense attorney Mark Gatesman said Jones’ aunt held the money and she returned most of it to the donors.

The family, Gatesman said, would like to return the remaining money, but they have been unable to identify the donors. As a result, the family will donate the money to charity, he said, adding that he did not know how much remained or what charity.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Pamela Maas asked Judge Michael P. Hatty to impose a life sentence.

Maas told the court that Jones’ lies and the molestation continue to reverberate in the community. Some of the wrestlers Jones coached continue to be taunted by other kids.

“The sexual abuse of this child was horrific,” she said. “Imagine this: This child has to deal with the fact this offender tattooed the victim’s name on his chest.

“Imagine that, knowing every day that offender will look in the mirror, looking at your name and thinking about the sexual abuse he perpetrated on that child. ... With that, your honor, I am asking … (for) a sentence of life in prison — and that would be appropriate.”

Gatesman told the court that Jones was sexually assaulted from ages 9 to 17 by a family friend and "that played into his behavior." He said he offered that information as an explanation, but not as an excuse.

The defense attorney also noted that his client has no prior criminal record.

“It may not make sense and it doesn’t excuse it, but it plays into this,” Gatesman said. “What Zachary Jones finds now is the unbelievable situation that he went through, he perpetuated it. … Zachary did what his perpetrator did to him.”

After the hearing, Gatesman said he shared his client’s victimization history because it was important to provide the judge “all the facts.” He said Jones’ criminal behavior “was completely out of character” for his client.

Maas said after the hearing that there are many children who are sexually abused that “don’t go out and continue the behavior.” She said Jones’ lies about dying were devastating to the children he coached and their families.

“I’m sure he’s remorseful for the position he’s in now, but the remorse for what he did to this child, I think remains questionable,” she said. “I’m very grateful for Howell Police Detective Don Banfield. He did an outstanding job (investigating the case). I’m very grateful to him.”

Follow Lisa Roose-Church on Twitter: @LisaRooseChurch