CAMDEN, N.J. — The previous fugitive on the heart of a securities fraud case involving a $100 million New Jersey deli was ordered held with out bail Monday as a federal choose dominated he’s a severe flight threat.

A Justice of the Peace choose had accredited Peter Coker Jr.’s launch on a $1.5 million bond in late March, however he remained in an Essex County jail as prosecutors appealed the ruling. 

Throughout a listening to Monday in federal courtroom in Camden, New Jersey, and in motions filed earlier than the courtroom, prosecutors argued Coker Jr. ought to be held pending trial as a result of he had renounced his U.S. citizenship, had “intensive” hyperlinks to international nations and owned greater than $3 million in belongings. 

Choose Christine O’Hearn sided with the federal government. She repeatedly famous that Coker Jr., who had been residing in Phuket, Thailand, for the previous yr and a half, had made no effort to contact the authorities to show himself in after he realized he’d been indicted in September. 

She stated Coker Jr. was solely within the U.S. to reply the costs towards him as a result of federal authorities finally tracked him all the way down to Phuket and extradited him to the U.S.

Coker Jr., who was smiling as he was led into courtroom clad in a yellow jail jumpsuit, did not make formal feedback to the choose.

The 53-year-old Coker Jr., his father, Peter Coker Sr., and a 3rd man, James Patten, have been charged in a 12-count indictment for securities fraud and conspiracy for allegedly concocting a scheme to inflate the inventory costs of two firms, Hometown Worldwide and E-Waste.

On the time of the alleged actions, the corporations’ market capitalizations exceeded $100 million every though Hometown’s solely asset was a small deli in Paulsboro, New Jersey, that made no cash and E-Waste was a shell firm, based on prosecutors. 

Coker Jr.’s protection legal professional, John Azzarello, argued his shopper had made no efforts to cover whereas in Phuket. He additionally stated Coker Jr. had not modified his identify or made different makes an attempt to evade seize from authorities after studying in regards to the prices towards him. 

When O’Hearn questioned why Coker Jr. did not attempt to contact the federal government or flip himself in after he realized he had been indicted, Azzarello defined that his shopper had been hospitalized with cirrhosis and hepatitis. 

There was “worry and concern” that if Coker Jr. turned himself in to Thai authorities, he could be compelled to get on a greater than 25-hour airplane journey to the U.S., Azzarello stated. He added that Coker Jr.’s native docs had suggested him to not journey due to his well being points.

Assistant U.S. Lawyer Shawn Barnes acknowledged that Coker Jr. had well being issues, however stated officers may have made preparations to make sure his security whereas touring. 

O’Hearn determined Monday there have been no circumstances that might fairly guarantee Coker Jr.’s return to courtroom. She agreed that he was a flight threat as a result of he isn’t a U.S. citizen, doesn’t have vital ties to the U.S. and isn’t at the moment employed, amongst different causes. 

Calling Coker Jr. a “refined defendant” who’s “very accustomed to worldwide journey,” O’Hearn stated her “important concern” was that he did not try to give up after he realized he was indicted. She additionally cited his belongings and “little if any” household ties. 

“I’m shocked,” Azzarello advised CNBC of O’Hearn’s determination after the listening to. 

He stated he wasn’t but certain about his subsequent transfer and whether or not he would suggest a special bail bundle or try to attraction the choose’s ruling. 

After the choose delivered her ruling, Coker Jr.’s mom cried within the gallery and out of doors of the courtroom. She and her husband, the elder Coker, declined to remark to CNBC.