Man who raped and stabbed Gwinnett teen after meeting on SnapChat receives life sentence – 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, sexual abuse, child abuse and possession of a knife during the commission of a crime. Iona was sentenced to life in prison, followed by five years of probation and mandatory sex offender registration as part of his negotiated guilty plea.

“This should be a warning to our young people to be on guard,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin Gatson. “As this case shows, not everyone you encounter on social media has your best interests at heart.”

The teen met Iona through SnapChat. In February 2022, the teen allowed Iona to visit her at a home in Hoschton. Iona arrived with rolls of duct tape, ropes and a knife. He bound the teen’s hands and put duct tape over her mouth and then raped her, according to the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office. During the sexual assault, Iona began stabbing the teen 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 taken to the hospital where

Doctors found at least 86 stab and cut wounds on her body.

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

During Iona’s plea bargain, the teenager told the judge she had just graduated from high school and considered it a blessing to be alive. The teenager has had several surgeries and physical therapy and can now walk.

The case was prosecuted by the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit.

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

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