The press release below was issued by the FBI’s Boston Field Office and is being distributed in key cities, including Los Angeles, where the fugitive is known to have either friends or family. John Joseph Hartin is wanted by local authorities in Boston for five counts of child rape. He is wanted by the FBI for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and has been a fugitive for 18 years. Hartin grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts and may have a Boston accent. He studied graphic and computer arts and may be working in that field. Hartin also worked as a security guard. FBI Boston’s press release, photos, and links to the FBI’s associated publicity campaign can be found below. Questions about Boston’s investigation and publicity campaign may be directed to Boston Media Coordinator, Special Agent Gregory Comcowich, at 617.223.6110. Interviews limited to content in press release are available in Los Angeles.
FBI Boston Asks for the Public’s Help to Locate Fugitive John Joseph Hartin, Who is Wanted for Crimes Against ChildrenUp to $25,000 Reward Offered for Information Leading to His Arrest; Hartin Should be Considered Armed and Dangerous
BOSTON—The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, is asking for the public’s assistance locating John Joseph Hartin, who has been a fugitive for nearly 18 years.
The FBI is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Mr. Hartin is wanted for allegedly abusing two young children he befriended in the Boston area. After an investigation by the Boston Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office charged Mr. Hartin in 1993 with five counts of statutory rape of a child. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Hartin on December 18, 1997, charging him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).
Mr. Hartin is a white male, 42 years old, and 5’8” tall. At the time of his disappearance, he weighed 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and worked as a security guard. He studied graphic and computer arts in college and was a lifelong Dorchester, Massachusetts resident until he fled. Mr. Hartin should be considered armed and dangerous.
“John Hartin has been on the run for 18 years, much too long for the victims of his alleged crimes. We ask anyone with information as to Mr. Hartin’s whereabouts to please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or their local FBI office,” said Special Agent Kristina Norris.
The FBI is using both social and traditional media to generate tips from the public. Combining the reach and power of all media platforms with alert citizens is a successful formula for identifying and locating suspects. For the first time, the Boston Division is using limited Facebook ads to search for a fugitive.
The FBI produced and distributed a “Wanted by the FBI” radio podcast which aired across the country. It was played on a local Boston station, which led to a radio news story highlighting the FBI’s search efforts.
Mr. Hartin was also featured on a local Boston “Most Wanted” television news program. Digital billboards featuring Mr. Hartin’s photo will also be used in the Boston and Orlando and Tampa, Florida areas. Both the Facebook ads and digital billboards will run for one week starting on February 27, 2012.
Through the use of the FBI’s own Twitter and Facebook account, the 433,000 combined followers were alerted of the FBI’s search for Mr. Hartin. Followers can link to the radio podcast on their Facebook accounts or re-tweet the information on Twitter.
Anyone with information regarding Mr. Hartin is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or the nearest local FBI field office. Anyone overseas is asked to call the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Photo of Hartin from 1989 Age enhanced photo of Hartin
For more information regarding John Joseph Hartin please go to FBI.gov/Boston or click on the following links.
■Wanted by the FBI poster: http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/cac/john-j.-hartin
■Wanted by the FBI radio podcast: http://www.fbi.gov/news/podcasts/wanted/john-joseph-hartin/view
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