Bellingham Author’s Grooming Book for Sale Amid Charges

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — More details have emerged in the case against Zachary Elisha Robertson, the 42-year-old Bellingham man police arrested March 10 on child pornography-related charges. He now faces two felony counts, and his children’s book remains available for purchase online.

Prosecutors charged Robertson with two felonies on March 11. He pleaded not guilty to both and posted bail the same day. Court records filed in Whatcom County Superior Court reflect the expanded charges beyond the single count listed at booking. A trial date remains set for April 27.

Is the Norma Normal Book Still for Sale?

Yes. As of March 29, 2026, Robertson’s self-published children’s book, Norma Normal, remains for sale online. The promotional website also remains active. Robertson published the book in 2020. It follows a child who “lives naked” in nature. Robertson told investigators the explicit images on his laptop were reference material for the book. Detectives rejected that claim in the probable cause affidavit, concluding Robertson viewed the images for sexual gratification.

Who Are Zachary Robertson’s Associates and What Do They Know?

Robertson’s arrest has put his closest community connections under scrutiny. The Cascadia Community Land Trust describes him on its website as a homesteader, father, and activist local to Bellingham, known for organizing Bellingham’s chapter of the World Naked Bike Ride.

Joana McNerthney, a Land Trust board member, said Robertson is the organization’s primary founder and was on its board before she joined. She described the Land Trust as currently in a pause phase, meeting annually only to re-elect officers, and said it holds no land.

McNerthney, identified as a longtime friend of Robertson, responded to a request for comment after the story’s initial publication. She said she has known Robertson for roughly 12 years through overlapping community activism, including shared membership on the Member Affairs Committee of the Community Food Co-op.

“I was not aware of any concerning behavior of his and to date I am still not aware of any concerning behavior of his,” McNerthney said. “He is a nudist, and a respectful one.”

She said Robertson makes an effort to normalize nudity through his book and his work on the Naked Bike Ride, and added, “I believe justice will prevail and Zac will be proven not guilty.”

McNerthney also objected to the use of the word “grooming” in this story’s headline, saying the reporting should be taken “to an objective level.” The headline has not been changed.

The Land Trust has made no broader public statement on Robertson’s board status since his arrest. Robertson’s social media is full of tagged nude pictures with more than 2,300 Facebook friends. The Naked Bike Ride Facebook page has more than 1,500 followers. Robertson also built a public profile through Norma Normal, which remains for sale online as of March 29, 2026.

What Did Investigators Find?

Robertson’s wife called police after coming home and finding him on the couch with a laptop open and a blanket over his lap. She reported seeing movement beneath the blanket and believed he was touching himself. She confronted him. Robertson quickly closed the laptop and tried to hide it. She opened it and found thumbnail images, including one larger image showing multiple fully nude girls she estimated were between 7 and 10 years old.

Police obtained a search warrant and forensic investigators examined his laptop. They found approximately 25 images depicting nude pre-pubescent and pubescent children. Several images appeared in a thumbnail cache, showing investigators Robertson had viewed them recently. Robertson told investigators he had downloaded images of girls between the ages of 5 and 7.

“He is a nudist, and a respectful one.”

— Joana McNerthney, Cascadia Community Land Trust Board Member

What Happens Next in the Case?

Robertson remains free on $2,500 cash bail. Forensic analysts had not completed their review of his laptop at the time of his arrest. His trial is scheduled for April 27 in Whatcom County Superior Court.

This is a developing story. PNW Daily will continue to update as court proceedings advance.

Editor’s note: This story was updated March 30, 2026 at 10:20 a.m. to include comment from Joana McNerthney, who did not respond to initial requests for comment.