Taylorville Police release body cam video of man accused in sex abuse of minor

Taylorville Police Department officials are speaking out after a recent Illinois Times article.

They say the office has received several questions and concerns about the man who was the subject of the article, Zane Merrieghn.

Zane Merreighn, 22, was arrested on Oct. 26, 2021, after a minor told investigators in August they had a sexual relationship with him.

He was indicted on three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 Felony), from an incident that allegedly happened in May 2018.

Following the initial charges against Merreighn, agents continued to look into new allegations involving the suspect and other victims, which led to the new charges.

On Jan. 26, 2022, one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 Felony) was filed against Merreighn in connection with an incident that allegedly took place on July 4, 2021.

In the Illinois Times article, they claim Merreighn was involved in an incident with three 15-year-old girls in Taylorville on July 4, 2021.

No charges were filed in regard to the incident in Taylorville.

However, Taylorville Police say that later that morning Merreighn went to the home of one of the girls, who lives in Springfield, and allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Body camera footage of the Taylorville Police encounter with Merreighn showed him stating several times that his mom is a Springfield Police detective.

The Taylorville Police Department says this led many to believe he received preferential treatment, which Taylorville police deny.

Taylorville Police wrote in a social media post, "It has come to our attention that it is also believed by some that Mr. Merrieghns had preferential treatment because his mother is a Springfield Police Detective. (I), Chief Wheeler, along with Deputy Chief Childers, and Lieutenant Toberman watched the video with the Illinois Times. Afterwards we came to a joint conclusion that the situation was handled appropriately and that there was no evidence that Merreighn was given preferential treatment by our agency. The reporter even went as far as to say that Officer Grove was “on it” when she saw those young females. I did acknowledge that officers have discretion on how to handle certain minor offenses."

In the body cam video, Merreighn even threatens to sue the Taylorville Police Department.

"So I do not believe he received any preferential treatment, due to who he alleged his mother was," Taylorville police wrote.

Merreighn remains in Sangamon County Jail with bond set at $250,000, with 10% to apply.
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