The Hamilton County elementary school janitor accused of altering images of students and a staff member with AI to portray nudity agreed Monday to be barred from unsupervised contact with minors.
Zackary Nelson, 28, was arrested July 21 at Daisy Elementary School, where he worked, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office press release. At his first court appearance, he agreed to several pretrial conditions.
Investigators discovered about 3,750 photos of adults and children in the process of being edited in an account tied to Nelson, according to an arrest report. Over 100 of those photos had been fully altered to show children performing sex acts and in various states of nudity, the report said.
Prosecutor Charles Minor said the state and defense agreed to several conditions if the state temporarily waived revoking or increasing Nelson’s bond. That temporarily waived factor could be revisited, he said, if new charges are brought.
Minor said the defendant must undergo GPS monitoring and refrain from contacting and being near the alleged victims or their families, whether directly or indirectly.
Nelson also agreed not to accept employment within 1,000 feet of property lines of schools, licensed daycares, childcare facilities, public parks, playgrounds, recreation centers or public athletic fields.
His defense attorney, Rich Heinsman, requested Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Tori Smith set Nelson’s next court date in early October. Minor said the case has many different facets, and the state did not object to that date.
While sitting in the court, Nelson at one point blocked his face with a sheet of paper. After the proceedings, Minor said he could not comment, and Heinsman elected not to comment further at this time.
The Sheriff’s Office released a July 23 update stating the agency has notified parents or guardians of all identified minor students whose images were altered.
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Hamilton County Schools spokesperson Adison Lambert said by email the administration is working collaboratively with law enforcement. Because of the ongoing investigation, she cannot provide additional information.
The email noted custodians are not Hamilton County Schools employees, and that Nelson was an employee of a facility maintenance service. The email directed any additional questions to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Gracyn Gordon said no further information was available about Nelson.
Nelson is out of jail on a $60,000 bond, according to online court records. His next court appearance was set before Smith for Oct. 5.
Contact courts reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.