Fugitive returns to face DUI charges

-- Deepa Bharath

NEWPORT BEACH -- A 31-year-old man who fled the United States and

eluded police for two years after being arrested on suspicion of drunk

driving and assaulting a police officer was scheduled to return Tuesday

night from Italy escorted by U.S. marshals, police said.

Jeffrey Wayne Minor fled to Italy in February 1999 after failing to

appear at Harbor Justice Center. He is expected to be arraigned Thursday

and will probably face additional charges in connection with failing to

appear in court and fleeing the country, said Newport Beach Police Sgt.

Steve Shulman.

Minor was arrested Dec. 21, 1998, after he allegedly dragged a police

officer 77 feet with his car through a crowded parking lot in Fashion

Island.

Newport Beach Police Officer Kristen O’Donnell stopped Minor on

suspicion of drunk driving, but he tried to escape in his red 1987

Porsche. O’Donnell, who clung to his vehicle while he drove away, escaped

with cuts and bruises.

Authorities arrested Minor in Italy in March 1999, but he fought

extradition, Shulman said. The fugitive had entered Italy using his

brother’s passport, Shulman said.

Minor had also been charged with felony drunk driving in Irvine and

was on probation for a 1993 conviction of drunk driving and manslaughter

in Riverside.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark Geller, who was prosecuting the case when

Minor fled the country, said he was pleased that Minor is being brought

back to the United States.

John Barnett, Minor’s attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Minor’s father, Wayne Minor, who owns Sterling BMW in Newport Beach,

was not available for comment Tuesday.