Canton Man Convicted Of Rape At Knifepoint Sentenced To Prison: DA

CANTON, GA — A 35-year-old man accused of raping a woman at knifepoint in November 2022 was sentenced Friday to life in prison, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway's office announced Monday in a news release.

After a five-day trial, Treadaway said a jury on Feb. 2 found Mariano Diego-Tercero, of Canton, guilty of rape, two counts of aggravated assault and criminal attempt to commit rape. The jury deliberated for three hours, she said.

A woman known to Diego-Tercero told authorities he put a knife to her neck and forced himself on her, Treadaway said. Furthermore, Treadaway said a second woman testified to similar acts allegedly made by Diego-Tercero at a separate time.

“Statistics show that these types of crimes are severely underreported. It is not easy for an individual victimized in this way to report the crime and testify in a jury trial, telling her story to a courtroom of strangers. Her tremendous courage cannot be overstated,” Treadaway said in the release.

“I feel certain that the bravery of this young woman has saved future women from being victimized in this way. Through this jury conviction and sentencing, our community is now safe from a dangerous man.”

Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea sentenced Diego-Tercero to life in prison following his conviction, Treadaway said.

Diego-Tercero will serve at least 30 years in prison before parole eligibility and will be on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life, Treadaway said. Diego-Tercero cannot have contact of any kind with the victim or her family members, she said.