DAYTON, OH – A decades-old horror resurfaced today as Frederick Louis Tanzer, 66, of Sycamore Township, admitted to lying to federal investigators about his connection to a savage rape committed in Cincinnati in 1989. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman, doesn’t address the rape itself, but the details revealed in court documents paint a chilling picture of the attack.
According to the plea documents, on August 1, 1989, Tanzer allegedly broke into the victim’s home and subjected her to a five-and-a-half-hour ordeal of unspeakable violence. The attacker, masked and clad in black Lycra, reportedly held a knife to the victim’s throat, dragging her into her bedroom before blindfolding her with surgical tape and binding her to the bed frame. The assault included repeated vaginal, anal, and oral rape. For 35 years, the victim lived with the trauma, and her attacker remained free.
The case cracked open in 2024 when the FBI, working alongside the Cincinnati Police Department, confirmed a DNA match between Tanzer and semen recovered from the crime scene. The advancement of forensic technology finally provided a link to the perpetrator, bringing a glimmer of hope to a case long considered cold. The DNA evidence, a silent witness for decades, spoke volumes.
When confronted by a federal agent and a Cincinnati Police Department detective, Tanzer allegedly made several materially false statements, including denying any interaction with the victim on the day of the attack. He attempted to conceal his involvement, but the DNA evidence proved damning. The lies, intended to shield him from justice, ultimately led to his arrest in December 2024. He remains in custody, awaiting sentencing.
“This case demonstrates the power of persistent investigation and advancements in forensic science,” stated Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Even decades after the fact, we will relentlessly pursue justice for victims of violent crime.” Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division, and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the collaborative effort that brought Tanzer to account. The IRS-Criminal Investigation Cincinnati Field Office also provided assistance in the investigation.
Tanzer now faces up to five years in prison on each of the three counts of making false statements. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi and Julie D. Garcia are prosecuting the case. While this plea addresses the false statements, the question of whether Tanzer will be charged with the 1989 rape remains unanswered. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops, providing updates on the pursuit of justice for the victim and the consequences faced by Frederick Louis Tanzer.
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