Georgia man pleads guilty to raping 15-year-old and stabbing her more than 80 times

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (TCD) — A 22-year-old man will spend at least 30 years behind bars for sexually assaulting and stabbing a 15-year-old girl in 2022.

Gwinnett County court records show Zachary Iona pleaded guilty Thursday, May 23, to rape, two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, child molestation, statutory rape and possession of a firearm or of a knife during the commission of a crime. WAGA-TV reports that a judge sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, plus five years of post-release parole. He must also register as a sex offender.

Iona and the 15-year-old victim allegedly started talking on Snapchat and met at her home in February 2022. Iona allegedly went to her home with duct tape, rope and a knife, tied up the victim and raped her. her. WAGA reports that Iona stabbed the teen 86 times all over her body while sexually assaulting her.

He then fled.

According to WAGA, the victim was able to call for help and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Detectives identified Iona as the suspect through the teen's Snapchat conversations, and when they located him, they allegedly found duct tape and other evidence in his car. Gwinnett County Jail records indicate he was arrested on February 11, 2022.

The teenager survived the attack and has just graduated from high school.

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