The FBI has launched a manhunt for a fugitive couple believed to be on Oahu and is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to their arrests, officials said today.

John and Julieanne Dimitrion failed to show up for sentencing at federal District Court Tuesday in a mortgage fraud case.

The Dimitrions pleaded guilty in April to operating the fraud scheme that led to several families losing their homes, the FBI said.

The couple convinced distressed homeowners to sign over their properties and promised to invest the proceeds of the home sales, but spent the money on themselves, the FBI said.

The couple was last seen by witnesses at church services at the Mililani Recreation Center Friday night.

The FBI said they abandoned their car and there is no record of them leaving Oahu by plane. The FBI suspects that they are being hidden on Oahu by friends or family members. Their last known address was on Moaniala Street on Hawaii Loa Ridge.

At the sentencing hearing Tuesday, attorneys for the Dimitrions said they feared that the Dimitrions were depressed and at risk of suicide.

"We’re dismayed at her nonappearance," said attorney Myles Breiner, who represented Julie Anne Dimitrion. "Her family is concerned for her safety and the safety of her husband."

John Dimitrion’s father, who was present at the sentencing, said he received a voice message from his son over the weekend saying that he would be gone for a while. Dimitrion did not, however, reveal where he was headed, his father said.

Breiner told Mollway that he was concerned that the couple was becoming depressed and were worried about what their sentences might be.

Under a plea agreement struck in April 2009, John Dimitrion pleaded guilty to one charge each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements on loan applications. He faced a maximum of 45 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

Julie Anne Dimitrion entered into a similar deal, pleading guilty to everything her husband did, except wire fraud. She faced a maximum of 30 years behind bars and $1.25 million in fines.

John Michael Dimitrion is  34 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  He is known to have expensive tastes in sports cars, clothing and jewelry.  He is an enthusiast for high-end personal electronics and Airsoft replica firearms.

Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is 32 years old, 4 feet 11 inches tall, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. During the fraud investigation, the FBI noted that she spent thousands of dollars on lingerie and sought to declare this lingerie as a business expense on her taxes. 

Anyone recognizing the couple or having information as to their current location is asked to call the Honolulu FBI at 808-566-4300.