U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in Dayton, Ohio, has indicted Frederick Louis Tanzer on six counts related to making false statements and using false documents. The 66-year-old Sycamore Township resident is accused of lying to federal investigators about his involvement in a 1989 rape case.
The indictment charges Tanzer with four counts of making false statements to a U.S. agency or officer and two counts of making or using a false document. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison. These charges can be prosecuted regardless of whether the statute of limitations for the underlying offense has expired.
Tanzer's DNA was matched by forensic analysis to evidence from the crime scene where the victim was raped over five and a half hours at her Cincinnati home on Creighton Place after returning from work.
It is alleged that Tanzer denied any interaction with the victim when questioned by federal investigators last week. A medical doctor, Tanzer has practiced medicine in Ohio, Kansas, and Colorado.
During a search of Tanzer's residence on December 11, authorities reportedly found restraints, a gag, a black hat, and zip ties. Additionally, court documents reveal that two other victims have been identified who were allegedly drugged and raped by Tanzer as recently as two and a half years ago in Kansas.
Federal law enforcement officials urge anyone with information regarding similar incidents involving Tanzer to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The announcement of Tanzer's arrest was made by Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Cincinnati Division; and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge. The IRS-Criminal Investigation Cincinnati Field Office assisted with the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi and Julie D. Garcia are handling the prosecution for this case.
It is important to note that an indictment consists only of allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
