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

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

Gwinnett County court records show that Zachary Iona pleaded guilty on Thursday, May 23, to rape, two counts of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor and possession of a firearm or 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 probation after release. He must also register as a sex offender.

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

He then fled the crime scene.

According to WAGA, the victim was able to get help and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Investigators identified Iona as a suspect based on the teen’s Snapchat conversations, and when they tracked him down, they reportedly found duct tape and other evidence in his car. According to Gwinnett County Jail records, he was arrested on February 11, 2022.

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

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