Utah Man Who Falsely Claimed Responsibility for Charlie Kirk Shooting Sentenced for Child Exploitation
A 71-year-old Utah man who initially claimed responsibility for the shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has been sentenced to prison for child exploitation offences. George Zinn pleaded guilty on Thursday to two counts of child exploitation and no contest to one count of obstruction of justice, following a disturbing discovery of explicit material on his electronic devices.
False Confession and Disturbing Discovery
Zinn was originally arrested on September 10 at Utah Valley University after reportedly telling police 'I shot him, now shoot me' in connection with Charlie Kirk's shooting. He later admitted this was a deliberate distraction intended to 'draw attention from the real shooter', who authorities identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
During their investigation, police obtained a search warrant for Zinn's phone and uncovered what The Salt Lake Tribune described as 'graphic' sexual photographs of children. Investigators found over twenty images depicting children aged between five and twelve years old in various states of undress and sexual posing.
Extensive Evidence of Child Exploitation
Authorities revealed that Zinn's phone contained not only disturbing imagery but also multiple explicit text conversations in which he shared these images with other individuals. According to police reports, these text threads contained 'several very graphic sexual' exchanges where Zinn distributed the illicit material.
During his sentencing hearing, Zinn appeared visibly emotional and frail according to courtroom observers. He told the court 'I wish the court to know I am not and will never be a danger to children or their parents', claiming the photographs were merely part of 'chatroom dialogue' and were 'public access' material.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
Zinn now faces a maximum possible sentence of fifteen years imprisonment for his crimes. This includes:
- Two separate one-to-fifteen-year sentences for second-degree felony exploitation of a child
- A zero-to-five-year sentence for obstruction of justice
The final length of his prison terms will be determined by a parole board, with all sentences to be served simultaneously rather than consecutively.
Background and Character Assessment
The court heard that Zinn was known to attend various political events across Utah and had multiple previous arrests on his record. His defense attorney, Carly Madsen, described her client as an 'interesting man' who 'never fit in' socially.
Madsen told the court '[He] never really got the love or attention he deserved. And never got the help he needed, resources that would have helped him years ago'. She expressed hope that 'in the future that Mr. Zinn is able to get the help he needs and the resources he needs'.
Connection to Charlie Kirk Shooting
Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10. He was declared dead several hours after the attack. The actual suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested following an extensive thirty-three-hour manhunt.
Robinson faces multiple serious charges including:
- Aggravated murder
- Felony discharge of a firearm
- Two counts of witness tampering
- Commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child
- Felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury
- Obstruction of justice
Zinn's case represents a disturbing secondary criminal investigation that emerged from the high-profile shooting incident, revealing serious child exploitation activities completely separate from the violent attack on the conservative influencer.
