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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation

In Reply, Please Refer to Release No.

219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604

February 25, 2003 Niles Resident Sought on Fugitive Warrant Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for the public's help in locating MANUEL De JESUS MEDINA, age 42, whose last known address was 9749 Huber Oval Lane in Niles, Illinois. MEDINA is a fugitive from justice who is the subject of a nationwide manhunt. MEDINA was arrested by the FBI in September of 2002, along with two other men, both Mexican nationals, for conspiracy to distribute 150 kilograms of a controlled substance (cocaine). Following his arrest, MEDINA was initially held without bond. In November of 2002, MEDINA was released after he posted a bond of $1,000,000, which was secured by four properties including a forty acre horse ranch in Grant Park, Illinois, which is owned by MEDINA. He was also subject to home monitoring. MEDINA was last seen on Saturday, February 22nd at his horse ranch. He had received permission from the court to travel to Grant Park for the day. At 7:00 PM that evening, his daughter reported him missing. Attempts by his family and the FBI to locate MEDINA have been unsuccessful. On February 24th, a warrant for MEDINA's arrest was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Joan Gottschall in Chicago, as he had violated the terms of his release. MEDINA was scheduled to appear before Judge Gottschall on Thursday, February 27, at which time it was expected he would enter a plea of guilty to the charges against him. MEDINA was facing a minimum of 19 years incarceration. Bond forfeiture proceedings have been instituted against the properties posted on MEDINA's behalf. MANUEL DeJESUS MEDINA is described as a Hispanic/male, 5'11" tall, 195 pounds, medium build, with black hair and hazel eyes. MEDINA is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Durango, Mexico. Anyone having any information about MEDINA's whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at (312) 431-1333. The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. EDITOR's NOTE: A copy of the original complaint filed against MEDINA is available by fax from the Chicago FBI Press Office at (312) 786-2645. Additional photographs of MEDINA are also available from the FBI Press Office, either by e-mail or courier.

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