A former American River College student has been arrested in connection with an April 21 attack on a female student who was walking along the Arcade Creek nature trail behind campus.

David Oliver Dixon, 28, of Carmichael, was arrested Monday and is being held on a $1 million bail in the Sacramento County Jail, according to a press release from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Dixon is already listed as a registered sex offender.

Dixon is being charged with assault with the intent to commit a felony and false imprisonment.

The victim was walking along the nature trail approximately 200 yards away from campus when a man, who was on a bicycle, brandished a knife, grabbed the victim’s arm and told her to stay quiet.

The victim was able to scream, alerting a nearby witness, and the man fled the scene.

Dixon identified himself on his Facebook page as an American River College student. According to Scott Crow, communications and public information officer for ARC, Dixon took one class at ARC during fall semester 2009.

Police are still looking into the possibility that Dixon was also involved in an incident that occurred on the same nature trail March 21. A woman was jogging when she was approached by a man who was also riding a bicycle. The man grabbed the victim and wrestled with her in attempt to sexually assault her.

Crow advised that students continue to remain alert and practice good safety habits, even with the arrest.

“This is not the time to put your guard down,” said Crow. “It’s not just this area on campus that we want people to use good safety practices.”

The school has put up warning signs along the trail and has ordered cameras that will be installed on the trail.

“This (arrest) is not going to change the plans that we have set in place. We’d rather be proactive than reactive,” said Crow.

Anyone with information regarding either one of these incidents can call the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department at (916) 874-5070.