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Sex Offender Arrested Following Probation Visit 

By Jessie Williams 

Two Macon County men were arrested on August 4, 2020, following a state probation visit for convicted sex offender Travis Buckley. 

 

According to local authorities, the Macon County Sheriffs Department was asked to assist in the visit after state probation officers arrived at Buckley’s home, located at 949 King Hill Road, and could not get him to answer the door. 

Sergeant Aaron Shipley and Deputy Josh Meador arrived at the residence and found Mr. Buckley’s vehicle parked outside with the driver’s side door open and a large amount of cash and Xanax pills laid out on the seat. 

Detective Shane Gregory was then called to the scene.

Upon his arrival, officers had already made entry into the home after a woman inside, later identified as Destiny Zeilman, opened the door for them. 

Inside the home were Mr. Buckley, Ms. Zeilman, 44-year-old Charles Shaffer, and a 1-year-old child. 

A search of the residence led to the discovery of a lock box containing approximately two grams of a crystallized substance believed to be methamphetamine, digital scales and baggies. 

Stolen property, including various power tools, was also found in the home.

At that time, Detective Gregory was notified by Buckley’s state probation officer, Staci Willey, that he was a sex offender and was not to have any children at his residence.

The child’s mother, Ms. Zeilman, told authorities she and her child had been staying at Buckley’s house for three to four days. 

The Department of Childrens Services was called to the scene. 

Numerous rifle shells were also found throughout the home, which was a violation of Buckley’s probation. 

Mr. Buckley was placed under arrest and charged with manufacturing of narcotics, possession of a schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule IV drug, manufacture of narcotics, unlawful possession of a weapon and violation of offender registration forms. His bond was set at $24,000.

Mr. Swaffer was charged with manufacture of narcotics, possession of a schedule II drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal trespassing for being on the premisses without permission from the property owner. His bond was set at $11,000.

Both men are scheduled to appear in general sessions court on Sept. 9 & Oct. 7, 2020. 

Additional charges are pending.

Macon County Sheriff Mark Gammons would like to thank all of the officers involved in this case for their hard work.