Federal magistrate judge Larry Bodiford heard arguments today in a detention hearing against a Mexico Beach Restaurant owner who wants out of jail until his trial. Bodiford denied that request.

Sixty-two year old Paul Francis will remain behind bars after his September arrest for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Back in September, local, state, and federal authorities raided Francis' home and business, toucan's restaurant on highway 98.

Investigators found 28 grams of meth and seven firearms, 5-of them loaded. Friday, U.S. Assistant Attorney Gayle Littleton argued Francis does pose a flight risk and he's a danger to the community.

He was a fugitive for 5-years when he ran from a 1986 Massachusetts drug trafficking charge.

Francis' Attorney James White argued he made all of his court appearances when he was facing state grand theft charges last year and also given Francis' age he isn't the same man now, but Bodiford denied Francis' request.

If convicted on these new federal charges, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. His trial date