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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A pastor accused of raping a teenager in his congregation will remain in jail while authorities work out his return to Connecticut where he faces similar allegations.
Onondaga County Judge Anthony Aloi rejected a defense request Thursday to set bail for Jaree Jones in the extradition issue. Defense lawyer William Sullivan asked Aloi to set bail at $500 so Jones could be set free. Assistant District Attorney Rami Badawy objected, saying Jones was a flight risk.
The case was adjourned to Feb. 17.
Jones, pastor of the Refuge Temple of Syracuse, was charged in November with second-degree rape and second-degree criminal sexual act after a 15-year-old Syracuse girl told police he raped her several times between May 2004 and March 2005 at his home and church, where the girl's family attends services.
Officials said a Connecticut girl learned of the Syracuse charges against Jones on the Internet. Subsequently, Jones was charged with sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, both felonies, on warrants issued in Waterbury, Conn.
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