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FBI Casts A Digital Net For North Carolina Fugitive

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By VALERIE KALFRIN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

TAMPA - Motorists across the Bay area may notice an FBI wanted poster of a man sought in the death of a pregnant Marine in North Carolina.

The photo of Marine Cpl. Cesar Armando Laurean, 21, appears on six digital billboards the FBI launched locally last year in partnership with Clear Channel Outdoor to publicize information on fugitives and emergencies 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 a suspect in the slaying of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, who accused Laurean of raping her and was scheduled to testify at a military hearing in the case.

An autopsy has confirmed that remains found Saturday in a pit in the backyard of Laurean's North Carolina home are those of Lauterbach and her unborn child, Onslow County District Attorney Dewey Hudson said Tuesday.

Hudson said the autopsy determined that she died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Laurean's arrest.

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.

Couvertier did not know how long Laurean would appear on the billboards.

Area billboards are on 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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