Judge sets bail for 1 defendant, detains 2 more in Russian spy case as feds warn of helpers

Judge sets bail for 1 in Russian spy case

NEW YORK — A judge has granted bail to one person accused of spying for Russia and denied bail to two others after a prosecutor warned the defendants had plenty of helpers in the U.S. to help them flee.

Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis ruled Thursday after 90 minutes of arguments at a bail hearing in New York.

The magistrate said Vicky Pelaez (peh-LAYEHZ’) a Spanish-language journalist who lives in Yonkers, N.Y., could be freed on $250,000 bail plus house arrest as soon as Tuesday.

Ellis denied bail to Richard and Cynthia Murphy of Montclair, N.J. A bail hearing was postponed for Juan Lazaro, Pelaez’ husband.

Prosecutors said earlier Thursday that Lazaro told authorities that Juan Lazaro is not his true name and that he passed letters to Russian intelligence.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — A prosecutor says 11 people accused of operating as Russian spies have lots of helpers in the U.S. waiting to aid their flight if they are released on bail.

The prosecutor, Michael Farbiarz, told a New York federal magistrate judge on Thursday that there are a lot of Russian officials in the United States who are actively assisting the conspiracy.

He says the defendants would have a “powerful sophisticated network they can call upon in the United States” if they were freed on bail.

The prosecutor spoke at a bail hearing for four people in New York accused in the alleged spy ring. One of the hearings was postponed. Two other defendants made appearances in Boston on Thursday.