The person at the center of this case
Port Authority Police Officer (assault victim)
Cold Case · Open
45 years waiting · since 1981
DONNA JOAN BORUP
Justice for Port Authority Police Officer (assault victim) — the trail went cold in 1981, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What circumstances led Borup to flee rather than face trial, and has she maintained contact with known associates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, or Canada?
💡
clue
Lead #2Given her reported photographic memory and high intelligence, what aliases or false identities might Borup have used over the past 40+ years?
👤
person
Lead #3Are there former members of the May 19th Communist Organization who might have information about Borup's whereabouts or support network?
Donna Joan Borup is wanted for her alleged role in a violent anti-apartheid demonstration at JFK Airport on September 26, 1981, where she allegedly threw a caustic substance into a Port Authority Police Officer's eyes, causing partial blindness. After her arrest and release on bail, Borup failed to appear for trial in May 1982 and has remained a fugitive for over four decades. Despite a federal arrest warrant issued in September 1982, Borup's current whereabouts remain unknown, though she has known ties to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Canada.
Case
#682
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Eastern District of New York
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Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Riot, Assault on a Police Officer Caution: Donna Joan Borup is wanted for her alleged participation in a violent anti-apartheid demonstration at JFK International Airport in Queens, New York, on September 26, 1981. During the riot, Borup allegedly tossed a caustic substance into the eyes of a Port Authority Police Officer, leaving him partially blind.
At the time, Borup was a member of the May 19th Communist Organization, a Marxist-Leninist organization which advocated the armed revolution and violent overthrow of the United States Government. Borup, along with some accomplices, was arrested and released on bail pending trial in May of 1982.
On May 20, 1982, an arrest warrant was issued for Borup after she failed to appear for her trial on a Queens County indictment which charged her with riot in the first degree and assault in the first degree. On September 14, 1982, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Borup in the Eastern District of New York and she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Remarks: Borup has ties to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Canada. Borup is thought to have a photographic memory and is highly intelligent.
Timeline of Events
👤
1981-09-26
Anti-apartheid demonstration and assault at JFK Airport
Donna Joan Borup allegedly participated in a violent riot and threw a caustic substance into a Port Authority Police Officer's eyes, causing partial blindness.
🕵️
1982-05
Arrest and bail release
Borup was arrested and released on bail pending trial on a Queens County indictment.
🕵️
1982-05-20
Failure to appear for trial
An arrest warrant was issued after Borup failed to appear for her trial on charges of riot in the first degree and assault in the first degree.
🕵️
1982-09-14
Federal arrest warrant issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued in the Eastern District of New York for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 26, 1981
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:September 26, 1981
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case