Former DeKalb corrections officer on the run after rape conviction

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - U.S. Marshals are searching for a former DeKalb County corrections officer who was convicted of rape and other charges, and sentenced to 45 years in prison, according to the Fulton County District Attorney.

Charles Pinckney was convicted on Monday of statutory rape, child molestation, and sexual battery. The conviction was in relation to a rape of a 15-year-old girl on December 20, 2016. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

According to the district attorney, the girl was approached by Pinckney outside of an apartment complex on December 19 and lured her into his car by offering a warm place to sit as she waited on a friend.

Authorities said when she entered the car, Pinckney drove to his apartment in the 700 block of Hammond Drive in Atlanta. He fed her, told her to take a shower, and then forced her to have sex, according to police.

The victim told authorities that she said no, and tried to fight him off. Officials said that Pinckney bit her chest and held her down by her wrists. He later drove the victim back to where picked her up, according to authorities.

The victim told her mother that she had been raped, and she was quickly rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

Pinckney was arrested on February 4, 2016, and maintained that the sex was consensual, according to officials. According to police, he fled during the trial's closing augments on October 27, 2017.

The mother of the girl who was raped said she and her daughter faced Pinckney in court during the trial, and the day he didn't show up she knew he ran.

"He's a predator and I hope they catch him very soon," she said.

The teen's mother said she and her daughter are relieved the trial is over and pleased with the lengthy sentence, but she said she can't rest until he's captured.

"With a person like that out there, you're not safe, you're always looking over your shoulder," she said.

Pinckney's attorney, Jackie Patterson, told FOX 5 News he has tried to call his client, but hasn't been able to reach him. Patterson also said he plans to file an appeal in the case within the next 30 days.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call authorities immediately.