Grant Park Attacker Pleads Guilty In 2010 Home Invasion; Sentenced To 25 Years

A Fulton County Superior Court Judge sentenced a 19-year-old Atlanta man to 25 years in prison Tuesday for an attack on a Grant Park woman in a case that drew national headlines for the way the victim sought help.

Dontavius Jackson also must serve five years' probation as part of the sentence imposed by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams.

Because he has two prior convictions on felony burglary and theft charges, Adams ordered that he serve his sentence without parole.

Jackson faced a slew of charges in the crime that had Grant Park on edge including:

• Armed robbery
• Aggravated battery
• Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
• False imprisonment
• Burglary
• Theft by taking — automobile
• Financial transaction card theft
• Identity fraud

The victim woke up and found Jackson in her bedroom, pointing a gun at her in the Aug. 2, 2010 home invasion, which occurred just before midnight.

The victim told police Jackson hit her with his gun when she tried to flee. He then took her from room to room, stealing electronic equipment, money and her bank debit card.

Jackson then bound the victim's hands with her own shoelaces, took her mobile phone and stole her car.

The victim screamed for help but no one heard her pleas for aid.

With her laptop nearby, she used her toes to send a message to her boyfriend asking for help. The boyfriend then called police.

Jackson, who was seen on bank surveillance video in the woman's car and using the woman's debit card to withdraw money, was arrested two days later.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Shermela J. Williams and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Bernard prosecuted the case.