CHEEKTOWAGA, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn confirmed the guilty plea of 19-year-old Zachary A. Jackson for multiple felony charges, including Arson in the Third Degree and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. Jackson, a resident of Cheektowaga, entered his plea before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges.
The series of events leading to Jackson’s charges began on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Around 10:41 p.m., Jackson deliberately set a family member’s pickup truck on fire using lighter fluid and a blowtorch. The incident, which caused substantial damage to the vehicle, took place on a residential property in Cheektowaga. Police and fire personnel extinguished the fire.
A separate incident on April 19, involved Jackson attempting to drown a family dog in a bathtub. The dog, a mixed breed terrier named Sprocket, was rescued and received emergency medical treatment. Following his arrest in this case, Jackson was detained without bail.
Additionally, on September 19, Jackson reportedly assaulted a jail deputy by throwing a liquid substance at them. This occurred while he was incarcerated at the Erie County Holding Center.
Jackson is scheduled for sentencing on January 3, 2024, and could face up to 15 years in prison. He remains in custody without bail.