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Man posing as priest wanted for brutal rapes in Dunwoody, police say

By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  August 19, 2022 8:30am EDT
Dunwoody
FOX 5 Atlanta

Police explain M.O. of fake priest suspected of metro Atlanta rapes

Police said the suspect poses as a priest to gain women's trust before he takes them to a building to assault them. Police are on the lookout for the man.

DUNWDOOY, Ga. - He claims he is a priest, gains the trust of women, and then brutally assaults them, Dunwoody police say.

Marco Aries Johnson, 46, is wanted for rape by the Dunwoody Police Department. He frequents the north DeKalb County area having been seen in area of Chamblee, Doraville, and Dunwoody.

Johnson drives a black Toyota Camry with the Georgia tag CCQ3983, police say.

Rape suspect lures victims by posing as EFY priest, police say

Investigators said the man has been spotted in several areas and is wanted in several jurisdictions. Police said he drives up to women who are walking and waiting at a bus stop.

Investigators say Johnson will drive up next to a woman walking or waiting for a bus. He will then talk to them, gaining their confidence by explaining he’s a "priest of EFY religion and a spiritual reader." He will then offer them a ride, but instead of going to where the woman wants to go, police say he will take them to an apartment in Dunwoody. It is there where investigators say Johnson will then beat and sexually assault them.

Marco Aries Johnson

Marco Aries Johnson (Dunwoody Police Department)

Police describe Johnson as being 5-feet-7-inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds, with black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen with a beard.

It is not clear how many times Johnson has done this, but police say they are looking for other possible victims. More importantly, police are searching for Johnson himself. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information in the case should call Detective Ehlbeck at 678-382-6925.