Sex-ring suspect can leave prison, judge rules

A wealthy, Russian-born entrepreneur living in Richboro can await trial on international child-sex charges while under house arrest and electronic monitoring, a federal magistrate ruled yesterday.

Andrew Mogilyansky, 38, was charged last week with traveling to orphanages in his native country to molest young girls and hire them out as prostitutes. He denies the allegations.

Prosecutors had sought detention for Mogilyansky, a dual citizen, and at a detention hearing yesterday they contended that he has the means to flee, including money and property abroad.

But defense attorney George Newman said his client had pledged all his assets as securities for his release. He also noted that Mogilyansky - who is married with three children - had known about the U.S. investigation for a few years and had not fled, though he'd had ample opportunity.

Mogilyansky has already posted $50,000 cash bail and surrendered both passports, and 12 people have pledged their homes as collateral, Newman said.

"He's not going to leave all these people holding the bag," Newman said. "He wants to face the charges."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan-Kelly said the money posted by Mogilyansky is "a mere pittance to this defendant." Mogilyansky, who owns several businesses, estimated his personal fortune at $5.3 million in 2006.

U.S. Magistrate Carol Sandra Moore Wells ruled that Mogilyansky must post another $50,000 cash bail in order to be released under house arrest, with electronic monitoring, computer monitoring and other restrictions.

Prosecutors appealed her decision, and Wells stayed her ruling pending prosecutors' appeal.

Wells said one factor in her decision to release Mogilyansky was that the alleged crimes took place five years ago. There has been no recent evidence to indicate Mogilyansky would be a danger to the community, she said.

Morgan-Kelly argued that Mogilyansky could be a flight risk because he owns apartments in Russia and Ukraine. But Newman said those are occupied, adding that Mogilyansky would not travel to Russia because of a pending criminal investigation.

And Ukraine has an extradition treaty with Russia, Newman said.