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On Wednesday, May 1, Antonio Price of Troy entered a guilty plea to the charges of first degree rape, first degree theft and first degree unlawful imprisonment and was sentenced to life in prison. 

According to a release from 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney James Tarbox, the charges related to this case were reported to the Troy Police Department on Aug. 17, 2023. The victim alleged that she was at her residence on Mulberry Street in Troy with Price after hanging out with a group of friends, which included the victim’s boyfriend. 

The victim alleged that she went to bed with the understanding that everyone was going to leave her home but she awoke with Price standing over her. Price then allegedly proceeded to rape the victim. Price also physically assaulted the victim, causing injuries to her face. He then allegedly tied the victim up and left her in the residence, while he stole her car and fled the scene. 

After the victim was unable to untie herself, she ran to a friend’s home and called law enforcement. According to Tarbox, the victim was taken to the hospital by law enforcement, and a sexual assault examination was performed. DNA swabs were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the DNA obtained during examination matched Price. 

Due to Price’s previous criminal record, he faced a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole had the case gone to trial and he been convicted. He negotiated a settlement to plead guilty to all charges for a life sentence. 

“I appreciate the work of the Troy Police Department and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in investigating this matter,” Tarbox said. “The plea by Defendant Price ensures that our victim is protected from having to relive this awful matter in public, and it also ensures that Defendant Price will serve a substantial amount of prison time. 

“Our office will appear at any future parole hearings for Defendant Price and work to ensure that ‘Life means Life’ and that he deserves to be incarcerated for the rest of his life for the actions for which he has now pled guilty.”