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A Georgia man convicted of stalking a 15-year-old woman on Snapchat earlier than brutally attacking her in her household’s house has been sentenced to life in jail after pleading responsible, court docket information present.
Zachary Iona, 22, met the sufferer on the smartphone app in 2022 and groomed her till she invited him over.
He arrived with duct tape, rope and a knife, then gagged her and sexually assaulted her earlier than stabbing her 86 occasions throughout her physique, together with her face, in keeping with native experiences.
SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY OF BOY, 13, WHO DIED BY SUICIDE SUES SNAPCHAT OVER SEXTORTION SCHEME
Zachary Iona, 22, pictured in his Gwinnett County, Georgia, reserving photograph. Iona pleaded responsible final week to a seven-count indictment after a brutal assault that almost killed a 15-year-old woman. (Gwinnett County)
Iona left the severely injured woman for lifeless.
Nevertheless, she had the energy to name 911. She survived the horror and spoke at Iona’s sentencing, telling the court docket she considers it a blessing to be alive, in keeping with FOX 5 Atlanta.
The app Iona used to seek out his sufferer can also be how police tracked him down, in keeping with authorities. They discovered an image of him on her telephone. Then they discovered proof in his automotive, together with a roll of duct tape and blood.
Iona pleaded responsible to all expenses in a seven-count indictment Thursday. Fees included rape, aggravated assault, and carrying of a knife whereas committing a felony.
As a part of a plea deal, Iona can be eligible for launch after serving 35 years, adopted by 5 years of parole and registering as a intercourse offender, court docket information present.
TEENS ARE TURNING TO SNAPCHAT’S ‘MY AI’ FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, WHICH DOCTORS WARN AGAIN
On this photograph iIlustration, the Snapchat social media emblem is displayed on the display screen of an iPhone in entrance of a pc display screen exhibiting a Snapchat emblem. Authorities stated Zachary Iona groomed the 15-year-old sufferer on the app earlier than she invited him over and the assault befell. (Chesnot/Getty Photos)
The phrases of the deal additionally ban him from contacting anybody underneath the age of 18 and even possessing footage of kids.
“This must be a warning to our younger individuals to beware,” Gwinnett County District Lawyer Patsy Austin-Gatson instructed the Atlanta Journal-Structure. “As this case demonstrates, not everybody you meet on social media has your finest curiosity at coronary heart.”
Social media accounts underneath Iona’s title present he tried to draw an internet viewers with music and gaming movies however had simply a few hundred followers.
The sufferer reportedly needed to endure a number of surgical procedures and bodily remedy to regain her capability to stroll.
HOW SCAMMERS ARE USING YOUR SNAPCHAT AND TIKTOK IN THEIR AI SCHEMES
Consultants warn that predators are assembly baby victims on social media after which abducting them in particular person. (Matt Cardy/Getty Photos)
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The Nationwide Middle for Lacking and Exploited Kids has warned of a rising risk involving minors focused on-line by strangers.
Staca Shehan, the group’s vp, instructed FOX 5 that predators are more and more choosing up their baby victims in particular person after assembly them by apps.
“Kids are being enticed,” she stated.
The victims are extra usually ladies than boys, she stated.
Nevertheless, boys are more and more focused underneath “sextortion” schemes over the app. Crooks coax victims into sharing private data, together with nude photographs, after which threaten them and demand cash.
Georgia Snapchat stalker will get life in jail for assault that nearly killed 15-year-old woman
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