Alva Review-Courier -

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico priest who fled the U.S. decades ago amid allegations of child sex abuse will await trial behind bars, a federal judge decided Tuesday, as his accusers in the audience applauded.

Defense attorney Samuel Winder argued in court that Arthur Perrault was not a flight risk as he had no passport, no family and no means of leaving the country. But prosecutors described him as a danger to the community who fled before.

"He is known to manipulate and gain the trust of people," federal Prosecutor Sean Sullivan told U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Molzen. "Honestl...