Michigan anti-prison activist arrested on felony child sex crime charges

A Michigan anti-police and anti-prison activist has been charged with felony child sex crimes after he allegedly sent sexually explicit text messages to an underage girl who lived in North Carolina. According to Michigan State Police’s First District, Zachary Whaley, 34, of Lansing, was charged with one count of child sexually abusive activity, two counts of accosting a child for immoral purposes, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. He was arraigned in the 54A District Court on February 25.

A detective with a North Carolina sheriff’s office contacted Michigan State Police (MSP) about the case in January, sending MSP his investigative report as well as screenshots of messages in which Whaley sent an underage girl, who was 14, a sexually explicit photo of himself and asked her to send photos to him, per the Lansing State Journal.

MSP conducted a search of Whaley’s home in mid-February, which Whaley was present for. During the search, MSP Det. Sgt. Thomas Gladney said he called the number the girl had provided to North Carolina authorities, and the phone in Whaley’s pocket rang. Gladney also wrote in an affidavit that part of Whaley’s bedroom matched the photos sent to the girl. 

Whaley worked at Safe & Just Michigan as a communications specialist. The nonprofit has a focus on DEI in criminal justice reform. He has also served as a staffer for Survivor Strong and the Firecracker Foundation, both of which are organizations dedicated to supporting victims of sexual assault, including underage victims. He also regularly attended Black Lives Matter direct actions and was involved in social justice groups.

Safe & Just Michigan Executive Director John Cooper said that Whaley was fired, effective immediately, on Thursday, February 20, when the charges against Whaley were revealed. Cooper said that staff was "shocked and appalled, as everyone else was."