WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- A U.S. magistrate says a former U.S. State Department employee and his wife will be held without bond until they can be tried as suspected Cuban spies.
The Miami Herald said Wednesday the Washington magistrate, whose name was not reported, sided with prosecutors who alleged Walter Kendall Myers and his wife, Gwendolyn, may flee the country if freed on bond.
Myers and his wife stand accused of providing Cuba with U.S. secrets, but have both pleaded innocent to charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and acting as illegal agents.
Prosecutors allege the couple has been serving as Cuban spies since 1978 when Myers was recruited while visiting Cuba. The couple allegedly divulged secret information to Cuban agents during ensuing visits to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and New York.
The Herald said Myers retired from the State Department in 2007, but prosecutors allege he and his wife remained in contact with Cuban intelligence officials via e-mail.
