A Georgia man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to brutally attacking a 15-year-old girl he stalked on Snapchat. Zachary Iona, 22, met the victim on the app and groomed her until she invited him over to her family’s home. He arrived with duct tape, rope, and a knife, and proceeded to sexually assault and stab her 86 times all over her body, including her face. The victim miraculously survived the attack and called 911 for help.
Iona pleaded guilty to a seven-count indictment, including charges of rape, aggravated assault, and carrying a knife while committing a felony. As part of a plea deal, he will be eligible for release after serving 35 years in prison, followed by five years of parole and registering as a sex offender. He is also banned from contacting anyone under the age of 18 or possessing pictures of children.
The case serves as a warning to young people about the dangers of meeting strangers on social media. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has warned of a growing threat involving minors targeted online by predators. Staca Shehan, the organization’s vice president, highlighted the increasing trend of predators meeting child victims in person after connecting with them through apps like Snapchat.
The victim in this case had to undergo multiple surgeries and physical therapy to regain her ability to walk. The horrific incident underscores the importance of online safety and vigilance when interacting with others on social media platforms.
