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 leading to their arrests.

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

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

The couple persuaded distressed homeowners to sign over their properties, promising to invest the proceeds of the home sales. But they spent the money on themselves.

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

The FBI said they abandoned their car and that there is no record of them leaving Oahu by plane. The FBI suspects 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 couple was depressed and at risk of suicide.

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

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

Breiner told Judge Susan Oki Mollway 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.

Julieanne 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 and 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 of high-end personal electronics and Airsoft replica firearms.

Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is 32 years old, 4 feet 11 inches tall and 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 it on her taxes as a business expense.

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