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FBI Casts Digital Eye Here For Suspect In Marine's Slaying

AP Photo by JAY LAPRETE

Motorists drive near an electronic billboard with the picture of Cesar Laurean, a Marine wanted in the slaying of a pregnant colleague, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2008

Updated: 01/15/2008 12:13 pm

TAMPA - Motorists throughout the Bay Area might notice an FBI wanted poster of a man sought in the death of a pregnant Marine in North Carolina.

Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean

The photo of Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, 21, appears on six digital billboards the FBI launched locally last year in a partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor to publicize fugitives and emergency information during peak travel hours, said Dave Couvertier, a spokesman for the FBI's Tampa office.

About 16 cities participate in the national campaign, with 20 expected by the end of the year. Clear Channel has agreed to donate the advertising space as a public service for one year, Couvertier said.

Law enforcement officials have said Laurean is thought to have killed Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, who once accused Laurean of raping her. An autopsy is pending on remains found Saturday in a pit in the backyard of Laurean's North Carolina home that are thought to be Lauterbach and her unborn child.

The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for Laurean.

Although the billboards enable the FBI to publicize wanted posters in areas where fugitives are thought to be headed, the agency has no information Laurean is in the Bay area, Couvertier said.

Rather, "we're doing a full-court press," he said.

The Bay area billboards are on North Dale Mabry Highway near Waters Avenue in Tampa; on Brandon Boulevard and the Veterans Expressway in Hillsborough County; and on U.S. 19, Tyrone Boulevard and Ulmerton Road in Pinellas County.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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