Last Updated on February 13, 2022 9:04 am
*Press Release from Seth Banks – District Attorney*
Boone, NC – On May 18, 2018, Jonathon Blalock was convicted of Second Degree Sexual Offense, Assault by Strangulation, First Degree Kidnapping, Attempted Second Degree Rape, Aggravated Assault on a Handicapped Person, and Assault on a Female.
The cases originated on November 6th, 2016 when Mr. Blalock, then 19 years old, repeatedly hit, strangled, and sexually assaulted the victim. The victim was 16 years old at the time of the assault and had been in a relationship with the Defendant.
Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg sentenced Mr. Blalock to prison for a minimum of 73 months and a maximum of 148 months. Mr. Blalock was also required to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years.
“By aggressively prosecuting acts of sexual violence we are sending a message that our community will not tolerate this behavior,” District Attorney Seth Banks said in a statement. “It is essential that we in the High Country continue to combat the culture of victim shaming and intimidation that is all too pervasive in these cases.”
“I would like to thank Assistant District Attorney Milton Fletcher and Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor Amber Lueken Barwick for their hard work in prosecuting this case. I would also like to thank the Boone Police Department, the Appalachian State University Police Department, and the SBI for their work in investigating this case. Finally, I would like to thank the victim for having the courage to come forward with the truth that brought these dark and disturbing acts into the light.”
