Life sentence for man who raped, stabbed Gwinnett teen after SnapChat encounter – On Common Ground News

LAWRENCEVILLE – A Flowery Branch man was sentenced to life in prison May 24 for raping a 15-year-old Gwinnett County girl and stabbing her 86 times.

Zachary Iona, 22, pleaded guilty in Gwinnett County Superior Court to charges of rape, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, statutory rape, child molestation and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. Iona received a life sentence, followed by five years of parole and mandatory sex offender registration as part of his negotiated plea.

“This should be a warning to our young people to be careful,” said Gwinnett County Prosecutor Patsy Austin Gatson. “As this case demonstrates, not everyone you meet on social media has your best interests at heart. »

The teenager met Iona on SnapChat. In February 2022, the teenager agreed to allow Iona to visit her at a house in Hoschton. Iona arrived with rolls of duct tape, rope and a knife. He tied the teen's hands and covered her mouth with duct tape, then raped her, the Gwinnett County District Attorney's Office said. During the sexual assault, Iona began stabbing the teenager in the face, torso, neck, legs and arms. He then fled.

The teenager managed to crawl to her phone and call for help. She was rushed to hospital, where

doctors found at least 86 stab and cut wounds on his body.

Police were able to identify the accused through a photo posted on the teenager's SnapChat. Police searched Iona's car and found duct tape and rope, as well as blood, according to the investigation.

During Iona's negotiated plea, the teen told the judge that she had just graduated from high school and considered it a blessing to be alive. The teen underwent several surgeries and physical therapy and is now able to walk.

The case was prosecuted by the Special Victims Unit of the Gwinnett County Prosecutor's Office.

Pictured: Zacary Iona, 22. Photo via Gwinnett County DA

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