Macon man sentenced to 10 years for aggravated stalking
Prosecutors say a judge issued a temporary protective order in March 2023 prohibiting Roland from contacting the victim.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Macon man was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to aggravated stalking while prosecutors say he continued contacting the victim as his case was going to trial.
Jonathan Vincent Roland entered the guilty plea Thursday in Bibb County Superior Court, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
The case dates to April 2023. Prosecutors say a judge issued a temporary protective order in March 2023 prohibiting Roland from contacting the victim.
Despite the order, prosecutors say surveillance video captured Roland outside the victim’s home in April 2023. He also sent text messages and left a voicemail for the victim.
Jury selection for Roland’s trial was completed Wednesday. According to the district attorney’s office, Roland continued sending the victim text messages and voicemails during the trial process in violation of his bond conditions.
Roland pleaded guilty before the trial was set to begin Thursday.
He was sentenced to 10 years, with the first eight years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.
The court also issued a permanent protective order prohibiting Roland from contacting the victim.
Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard released the following statement:
“This defendant was told by a court, in writing, to leave this victim alone, and instead of stopping, he kept contacting her through the very days his jury was being seated. That takes a particular kind of disregard for the law and for her safety. This case was only possible because of this victim’s courage. She provided those messages at the most difficult possible moment, in the middle of trial, and her trust in our office made all the difference. I’m also grateful for the court’s diligence throughout this case and its clear understanding of how serious this conduct was. I’m glad the permanent protective order now in place means our office can act immediately if he ever contacts her again once he gets out of prison.”
