(Sioux Falls, S.D.)– A Sioux Falls doctor with ties to the Iowa Great Lakes accused of buying sex through a Tea, S.D.-based online prostitution ring will remain in jail as he awaits trial.
35-year-old Joshua Payer has pleaded not guilty in federal court to child sex trafficking charges and drug counts.
Judge John Simko Wednesday rejected Payer’s appeal for pretrial release despite his promises to remain on house arrest and quit practicing medicine until the case is resolved.
Simko earlier had deemed Payer a flight risk and ordered that he be held until trial in October.
If convicted on all counts, Payer could face up to 80 years in prison.
Payer was arrested August 5th at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. He was working for a firm that hospitals contract with for physician coverage in emergency rooms.
(Story from the Associated Press).
