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Former corrections officer on the run after rape conviction

He escaped during the trial and is currently on the loose.

ATLANTA -- U.S. Marshals are searching for a former DeKalb County corrections officer convicted in the rape of a 15-year-old girl.

According to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, Charles Pinckney fled days before being convicted of statutory rape, child molestation and sexual battery charges.

According to prosecutors, Pinckney approached the victim – who was waiting for a friend -- outside of an apartment complex in Cobb County the night of December 19, 2016. He offered the girl a place to sit in his car, citing that it was too cold to wait outside. The victim accepted the invitation. Pinckney would then drive to his apartment off Hammond Drive, police said.

Upon arriving, Pinckney offered the victim food and a shower. Afterwards, he allegedly lurched his body on top of her; forcing himself onto the juvenile. The victim cried out tried to fight him off.

Pinckney then allegedly held the victim down by her wrists and bit her.

The victim told her mother immediately. The two headed to the hospital where bite marks were found on her body.

On February 4, 2016, Pinckney was arrested. He was charged with statutory rape, child molestation and sexual battery. Pinckney maintained in his account of the incident to authorities that the sex was consensual.

On Oct. 27, the day of closing arguments, Pinckney fled. The State requested a bench warrant and a revocation of bond, which the judge granted. U.S. Marshals are currently searching for Pinckney, who was previously employed as a DeKalb County Corrections Officer.

On Monday, Pinckney was convicted and sentenced to serve 45 years in prison, according to the district attorney's office. His whereabouts are not known.

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