A man from Jackson County faces the grim possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars following a grand jury’s decision to indict him on multiple serious charges.
Zachary Storm Grant, aged 26 and residing in Cullowhee, was apprehended on two counts each of first-degree forcible rape and first-degree kidnapping, along with an additional count of extortion – all felonies.
The grand jury issued the indictment on November 13, leading to Grant’s arrest on November 20.
Details outlined in the indictment suggest that the acts of rape were ongoing in nature.
The initial indictment specifies that between December 1, 2016, and April 1, 2017, Grant allegedly committed acts of forcible rape against the victim’s will and unlawfully confined her, intending to cause fear or severe bodily harm.
During the mentioned period, the victim was at least 16 years old.
The subsequent incidents of first-degree rape and kidnapping occurred between June 14 and July 4 of the present year, as outlined in the indictment.
Shortly after these occurrences, Grant is accused of menacing the victim to prevent her from reporting the assaults.
He allegedly attempted to coerce her cooperation and silence by threatening harm to the victim’s daughter if she involved law enforcement, as stated in the indictment.
If convicted, first-degree forcible rape carries a severe penalty of 12 years to life without parole, classified as a Class B1 felony.
First-degree kidnapping, classified as a Class C felony, carries a sentence of up to 231 months in prison upon conviction.
Extortion, a Class F felony, carries a punishment of 10 to 41 months in prison if found guilty.
Currently, Grant remains confined in the Jackson County Detention Center under a $250,000 secured bond.
