The minister accused of long-term molestation of an underage follower has been denied release from jail pending trial.

"The risk of flight is very high," said Circuit Judge Richard Pollack in ruling that Manuel "Memo" Taboada should remain in custody.

Taboada, 56, head of the Back to the Cross ministry in Kane'ohe, has been held on $2 million bail since his arrest July 21. He is accused of sexually assaulting the daughter of a church member for nearly nine years, beginning when the victim was 11 years old.

Taboada has denied the charges.