The FBI is looking for a man with ties to Colorado who fled after he was found guilty of first-degree assault nearly 30 years ago, the agency said Saturday.
Francisco Molina-Neave, 52, is wanted for assault and prohibited use of a weapon, according to the FBI.
A jury found Molina-Neave guilty of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, prohibited use of a weapon and third-degree assault on Jan. 21, 1999, according to the FBI.
But when the verdict was read, Molina-Neave fled the courtroom.
Molina-Neave’s initial arrest followed a holiday party in metro Denver on July 5, 1997, after a passer-by allegedly saw him punch and beat his girlfriend in a car. Molina-Neave fled after the passer-by approached the couple, and then, witnesses in another car chased him, according to the agency.
Molina-Neave ran down an alley and when police arrived, they heard two gunshots. The witnesses in the car told police that Molina-Neave and another man shot at them. One of the witnesses had been injured, according to the FBI.
Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver. He posted bond while appealing his extradition. Molina-Neave failed to appear and was arrested again in 2007, but was released after posting $1 million bond, according to the FBI.
Molina-Neave fled again and a federal arrest warrant was issued in 2008 and he was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to the agency.
Molina-Neave has connections to Colorado, Texas, California and Mexico.
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