18 Years Later, Police Name Suspect In Teen's Rape

Police say a DNA match led them to a man they believe attacked a teenager 18 years ago in Atlanta. Police said they want the public’s help in tracking the man down.

A woman’s life was changed forever by a brutal attack along Forest Park Road. After 18 years, police said they have a suspect and the woman has hope her attacker will go to prison.

“I was praying that he wouldn’t kill me, just praying,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified.

When she was a teenager, a man beat her up, dragged her into a wooded area and raped her.

“It took me some time to get up because I was hurting, I was bruised from the impact of the hits and the choking and everything he had done to me,” she said.

In 1990, police made no arrests and had no leads on a suspect.

Now, a DNA check of former Georgia prisoners turned up a match -- Freddie Dixon.

Atlanta Police Detective Tez Peavy said that even though they know the name of their suspect, they can’t find him.

Dixon, 48, is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and 200 pounds. Previous convictions include battery and assault and police think he is dangerous.

Police want to find him.

“For her and possibly other victims who may be out there, also we don’t want any future victims of this guy,” said Peavy.

“He needs to pay for what he did to me, how that incident impacted my life all these years,” said the victim.

Police said when Dixon is found, he will face charges including rape, aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crimestoppers Atlanta at 404.577.TIPS. That’s 404.577.8477. You could be eligible for a reward and you do not have to leave your name.