Anthony Wayne Worley, a 62-year-old man from Georgia, received a four-year prison sentence after violently assaulting his girlfriend at a Florida motel. The attack stemmed from jealousy over a compliment she received, leading to severe injuries including a broken nose and eye socket.
Incident Details
The assault occurred on October 12, 2024, at the Lagoon Motel in Panama City Beach, Florida. Worley, enraged after a stranger complimented his girlfriend’s appearance while they were drinking, punched her repeatedly, strangled her, smothered her with a pillow, and threatened her with a loaded gun, saying, “I got one bullet for you and one bullet for me.” She tried to flee but he pulled her back; a good Samaritan intervened, helping her escape to his room until police arrived.
Injuries and Medical Response
The victim required emergency surgery to repair her shattered orbital socket and broken nose. Paramedics transported her directly from the scene to the hospital following her screams for help heard by other guests.
Trial and Sentencing
A jury convicted Worley in January 2026 of aggravated battery, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and assault after about an hour of deliberation. He was sentenced on February 18, 2026, to four years in prison, credited for 381 days already served. Prosecutor Jackson White praised the good Samaritan’s bravery, noting it likely prevented a worse outcome.
