Former CPS Employee Pleads Not Guilty to 21 Sex Crime Charges

A former Columbia Public Schools employee pleaded not guilty Monday to 21 child sex crime charges in Boone County Court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Zachary Hutchinson was arrested in January after police began investigating a reported relationship involving a female minor. He was later placed on home detention.

Hutchinson was arrested again in April on additional charges. His current case includes allegations of possessing child pornography, statutory sodomy, enticement of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Police previously said their investigation found no connection between Hutchinson’s employment and the alleged relationship.

A four-day jury trial is scheduled to begin February 2nd, 2027.