NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — An Indianapolis man faces accusations of not only failing to register as a sex offender but also of falsifying a nursing license to secure employment as a hospice nurse.
Zachary Howard Hartley is charged with two counts of failing to register as a sex offender, three counts of forgery, and two counts of identity deception, all Level 6 felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of practicing nursing without a license and fraud.
Court documents reveal that Hartley was accused of having a sexual encounter with a minor in 2021 and paying the minor for nude photographs. In February, he was found guilty of possession of child pornography and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Hartley was sentenced to probation and ordered to register as a sex offender, but investigators report that he never registered. Additionally, he is said to have falsified his identity and credentials to obtain a job as a hospice nurse.
Details from court documents indicate that Hartley was hired by a hospice healthcare provider on March 21 after completing an online interview, during which he allegedly used a false name and nurse licensing number.
On his second day of job shadowing at Wellbrooke of Carmel, a senior care facility, a worker recognized him and informed the police. Hartley had reportedly worked at Wellbrooke for about a month at the end of 2023 before the facility discovered his falsified credentials and licenses.
Investigators found that Hartley had also used a fraudulent social security number, in addition to a false nurse licensing number, to deceive his employer.
Hartley reportedly went by several different names, including Zachary Carter, Zachary Dailey, and Zachary Runser.
We are very thankful to our team, whom acted quickly on their initial concerns during his employment as a CNA, and continue to work with all necessary outlets in the investigation. – Wellbrooke of Carmel
If convicted, Hartley faces up to 2.5 years in prison on a Level 6 felony.
