50-Year Sentence Handed Down In Videotaped Sex-Assault Case

COBB COUNTY, GA—A Cobb County man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after filming himself sexually assaulting a woman he met through a dating app, according to Cobb District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes.

A Cobb County jury recently convicted Darryl Joseph Clark, 38, of aggravated sodomy and aggravated assault-strangulation for acts he committed against the woman on July 5, 2017.

According to the district attorney's office, the victim matched with the defendant through a dating app and met him in public the day before the assault. When Clark asked her to come into his apartment, she declined, but agreed to see him the next day.

The victim told authorities she returned to his apartment on July 5, but when the defendant initiated physical contact, she got up to leave. The district attorney said Clark then pushed her down and strangled her to the point she thought she was going to die. Clark then forced the victim to perform oral sex on him and took a video, which he threatened to release to ruin her career if she reported the assault to police.

The victim reported the assault to Acworth Police Department and received medical evaluations and treatment, authorities confirmed. In the days following the assault, bruises appeared on her neck and chest, and bleeding developed in both of her eyes. Two nurses who specialize in sexual assault testified that all injuries were indicative of strangulation with significant force. The victim also testified about the lasting effects of the assault, including having to take a year off work, nightmares, and flashbacks.

Jurors also heard from another woman who detailed her experience with Clark strangling her and forcing her to perform oral sex numerous times while they were in a relationship. She testified that Clark reacted violently when he was turned down for sex, and that she had to take out a protective order against him.

“This defendant viewed women as objects, expected them to give him sex, and was willing to use threats and violence to get what he wanted,” Assistant District Attorney Drew Healy said. “Thanks to his victims being willing to come forward, this repeated predator will not be able to victimize any other women.”

Before sentencing Clark on Tuesday, Cobb Superior Court Judge C. LaTain Kell addressed the victim, whom he described as strong and courageous, and said he found her “to be very believable.” Judge Kell then followed the prosecutor’s recommendation and sentenced Clark to serve 50 years in prison, followed by lifetime probation. He will be subject to sex offender conditions and registry if he is ever released from prison.

Clark has remained in custody since July 2017 and will get credit for the time he has served.