Two years ago, William and Zachary Zulock, a married couple from Georgia, were arrested and charged with sexually abusing their two adopted sons. They were recently sentenced to life in prison for their horrific crimes.
The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after identifying child sexual abuse material (CSAM) uploaded from the Zulocks’ home in Walton County. The uploaded content was traced back to William and Zachary, both in their 30s, who later confessed to the abuse. Investigators found overwhelming evidence, including seven terabytes of footage from surveillance cameras, cell phone videos, and text and social media messages that documented the abuse.
The Zulocks had installed multiple cameras inside their home and reportedly used the children in a pedophile ring, exploiting them to other men in the Atlanta area. They even bragged about the abuse in their text messages.
The two boys, aged 10 and 12 at the time of sentencing, had been adopted years earlier through a Georgia Christian special-needs adoption agency that has since been shut down. The agency faced criticism for cutting corners during the adoption process. District Attorney Randy McGinley described the situation as a “house of horrors” created by the Zulocks, who prioritized their dark desires over the well-being of the children.
Both William and Zachary initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, in addition to their sentences, the man who received the CSAM that led to their arrest was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the case. Two other men involved have also been sentenced. McGinley emphasized the importance of adopting children in need but made it clear that anyone who abuses children they adopt should face severe consequences.
The Zulocks were sentenced to 100 years in prison with no chance of parole. McGinley noted that the dedicated efforts of law enforcement had ended the abuse and would help the victims begin their healing journey.
In the aftermath, some members of the LGBTQ+ community expressed outrage. Danny Winters, a gay father, posted on social media, condemning the Zulocks for their actions and stating that their crimes harm the perception of same-sex couples being allowed to adopt children. He found it unimaginable that anyone could abuse children in such a way.
McGinley also spoke of the strength of the two young victims, noting how their resilience throughout the investigation had been truly inspiring.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual violence, support is available through RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.