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 firearm or knife during the commission of a felony. WAGA-TV reports 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 reportedly started talking on Snapchat, and they met up at her house in February 2022. Iona reportedly went to her home with duct tape, rope, and a knife, tied up the the victim, and raped her. WAGA reports Iona stabbed the teen 86 times all over her body while sexually assaulting her.
After, he fled the scene.
According to WAGA, the victim was able to seek help, and she was transported to a hospital for treatment. Detectives identified Iona as the suspect due to the teen’s Snapchat conversations, and when they located him, they reportedly found duct tape and other evidence in his car. Gwinnett County Jail records indicate he was arrested Feb. 11, 2022.
The teen survived the attack and just graduated from high school.
How could someone commit such a horrific crime against a vulnerable teenager? Is there any information on the motive behind this brutal act?