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Doctor Jailed 15 Years for 1989 Rape Cover-Up
29 Jan
Summary
- Former doctor Frederick Tanzer sentenced to 15 years for lying about 1989 assault.
- Tanzer's DNA from coffee cup matched crime scene evidence.
- Judge called Tanzer a 'serial rapist' given maximum sentence.
A former doctor, Frederick Tanzer, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on January 28, 2026, for lying to investigators about a 1989 sexual assault. Tanzer, 67, faced charges of making false statements to federal agents in 2024 when he denied any interaction with the victim. His DNA, recovered from a discarded coffee cup, linked him to the 1989 crime scene in Cincinnati.
Despite the statute of limitations preventing rape charges, a federal judge called Tanzer a "serial rapist" and imposed the maximum sentence. Tanzer had practiced medicine for three decades across multiple states, including Ohio, Colorado, Kansas, and Arizona. His medical license in Ohio was revoked in March 2025.
The victim, who was 29 at the time of the attack in her Cincinnati home, described decades of suffering from PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety. Tanzer wore a mask and full-body suit during the five-and-a-half-hour assault, only uttering "Shh." Tanzer plans to appeal the sentence and a $250,000 fine.
