FULTON COUNTY — Gary Diggs was convicted in absentia of rape, false imprisonment, aggravated battery, and violating the state sexual offender registry in Fulton County, Georgia. Senior Judge David Emerson sentenced Diggs as a recidivist to life imprisonment without parole, plus 60 years.

Diggs represented himself in a county courtroom. He failed to appear for the scheduled continuation of his trial, leading to his conviction in absentia. District Attorney Fani Willis directed the county sheriff to prioritize locating Diggs. "Facing sentence and he is in the wind," said Willis. "I’ve already contacted the sheriff of Fulton County to ask that he has made a priority and he’s brought in for justice. But he’s dangerous," said Willis.

Diggs was indicted in Fairburn, Georgia, for a 2017 rape, along with additional charges. He was released on a $100,000 bond before his trial proceedings. Diggs, age 52, contacted the victim through the dating website Plenty of Fish, using a photograph that did not depict him. He convinced her to travel to Georgia by falsely claiming ownership of two properties in Atlanta. "They were never his, and they were not mansions," said Stacey Burke, Senior Assistant District Attorney.

Diggs assaulted the victim after she attempted to leave when she discovered his financial representations were false. He strangled the victim, leaving visible marks on her neck, pushed her down a staircase, and used a kitchen knife during the incident. "The verbal altercation became physical and he strangled her, there are markings around her neck," said Burke. "She unfortunately had to spend the night after being raped by him," said Siri Patel, Deputy District Attorney. "This was a 19-year-old girl who had hopes and dreams of coming to Atlanta for a better life. She was living on her sister’s couch," said Patel. Judge Emerson issued a separate 20-day jail sentence for contempt of court against Diggs due to disruptive behavior during his self-representation.