Man Gets Decade Behind Bars for Stalking West Cobb Woman

A Dallas man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stalking a former girlfriend and her 13-year-old son in late 2020 at their west Cobb home, Cobb District Attorney Flynn Broady Jr. announced Wednesday.

Michael Lydon Strong, 43, who was already serving six years in state prison for selling cocaine, was found guilty of aggravated stalking and disorderly conduct for the October 2020 incident and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

On Sept. 21, 2020, the victim and her 13-year-old son applied for a restraining order against Strong, who was the victim’s live-in boyfriend at the time.

In the months leading up to the victim seeking protection, Strong would have fits of rage and anger in which he would yell and throw things, Broady said.

Evidence presented to the jury included instances where Strong threw a propane tank, damaged property, destroyed food and physically assaulted the victim.

The victim and her son testified that these incidents grew increasingly frequent, and that both were afraid that calling 911 would further enrage Strong and lead to worse outbursts.

The restraining order against Strong was issued the day after his former girlfriend requested it. Strong later violated the terms of the order by breaking into the victim’s residence on Oct. 1, 2020, while she and her son were asleep.

The victim’s juvenile son woke to his mother’s screams and stepped out of his room to see Strong coming toward him and telling him not to call 911.

The boy went back into his room and locked his door as the defendant tried to force his way into the juvenile’s room.

The boy called 911 and officers were dispatched to the home, arriving while Strong was still inside the residence.

Last week, a 12-person jury found Strong guilty of aggravated stalking and disorderly conduct for the break-in.

“The jury’s decision highlights our office’s dedication to protecting and advocating for victims of domestic violence,” Broady said.

Assistant district attorneys Holly Morgan and Dallas Cox prosecuted the case on behalf of the state. Brian Hobbs represented Strong.

Georgia Department of Corrections records indicate Strong is incarcerated at Wilcox State Prison. His earliest possible release date is Oct. 12, 2030, according to those records.