A social media influencer who was acquitted over the fatal stabbing of a neighbour in a case prosecutors claimed was driven by a quest for “TikTok fame” has now been jailed for 12 years after admitting attempting to kidnap an ex-girlfriend.
Zachary Latham, 24, was sentenced after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping, domestic battery by strangulation, witness tampering, violating pretrial release and criminal mischief.
Prosecutors said the offences stemmed from incidents in August 2023 after the woman ended their relationship, as reported by Need To Know.
READ MORE: One dead after bus skids and flips on wet motorway
According to court documents, Latham forced the victim into her own car and made her drive around before repeatedly strangling her, at one point causing her to lose consciousness.
The woman told investigators she feared she was going to die during the ordeal.
On a separate occasion, prosecutors said Latham lured the woman to his apartment before forcing her into a bathroom and preventing her from leaving.
She later managed to escape to her car before driving away.
Authorities said Latham continued contacting the victim after his arrest by using a third party to send threatening messages urging her to drop the case, leading to additional witness tampering and pretrial release charges.
He was sentenced in Florida as a habitual violent felony offender to 12 years in prison, with the sentences on the various charges running concurrently. He will also be subject to probation after his release and is prohibited from contacting the victim or her family.
The sentencing comes more than three years after Latham stood trial over the death of his New Jersey neighbour, William “Timmy” Durham Sr, 51.
The case attracted international attention after prosecutors alleged Latham had deliberately escalated an ongoing dispute with the Durham family by filming confrontations and uploading them to TikTok in a bid to become internet famous.
Following that trial and being subsequently acquitted, Latham moved to southwest Florida.
One of the videos reportedly attracted around three million views, while Latham had amassed a following of about 40,000 on the platform.
The feud began after neighbours accused Latham of speeding through their residential street.
In May 2020, members of the Durham family confronted him outside his home, where a fight broke out.
Latham allegedly stabbed Durham several times, including a wound that punctured his lung.
He claimed he acted in self-defence and, in 2023, a jury found him not guilty of reckless manslaughter, aggravated assault and weapons offences.
READ MORE: Miracle as dog rescued from rubble 29 days after earthquake
