Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Krieg announced today that Tuolumne County resident Zackariah Wagner was convicted by a jury on October 5, 2018 before Judge James A. Boscoe. The crimes the jury found the defendant guilty of included: stalking, inflicting injury on a child’s parent, vandalism, resisting arrest, and six counts of violating a court order Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli prosecuted the case for the People.
On October 9, 2016, the mother of the defendant’s child had requested the defendant leave her residence. After he refused, an argument ensued where the defendant slapped, and struck the victim multiple times causing severe bruising. The victim was embarrassed and did not report the attack even after she broke her finger defending herself. Later on November 22, 2016, the defendant became enraged and broke down the victim’s front door, prompting the victim to call 911. Once officer’s arrived and learned what had transpired that night, they noticed the previous injury to the victim’s hand. After asking, the victim reported what the defendant had done on October 9, 2016. As a result of the report, and the defendant’s admission that he had broken down the victim’s door, felony charges were filed against the defendant and a criminal protective order was issued by the Tuolumne County Superior Court in which the defendant was precluded from coming within 100 feet of the victim and precluded the defendant from contacting the victim, personally or electronically. Thereafter, the defendant began to repeatedly call the victim from a blocked number, drive by the victim’s house yelling obscenities, and follow the victim in his vehicle in violation of the order. The defendant threatened the victim when she confronted him to stop following and stalking her. The defendant did not cease his repeated and harassing communication with the victim even after multiple contacts with law enforcement. The defendant even ran away from officers as they attempted to arrest him for one of the violations of the protective order.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the members of the jury for their careful attention to the case and their thoughtful deliberations. A very special thank you goes to the victim who bravely stood up to her perpetrator and testified over the course of two days. The defendant faces up to 7 years in State Prison.
For more information contact: Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli, 209-588-5450
