KING

TACOMA, Wash. – A Lake Tapps pilot accused of exploiting children for pornography has been ordered to stay behind bars.

A federal judge ruled Wednesday morning that 47-year-old Weldon Marc Gilbert poses a danger to the community and is a flight risk.

Gilbert pleaded not guilty to three counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Production of Child Pornography and one count of Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity.

The first three charges allege Gilbert sexually abused three boys in Pierce County and videotaped the abuse between 2001 and this year. The fourth alleges Gilbert took one of the boys to Canada, where he molested him in 2005 and videotaped it.

Gilbert was arrested last month after two brothers accused him of abusing them in his home. Investigators who served a search warrant at the house found dozens of videotapes and DVDs documenting the alleged abuse as well as a room where cameras were installed, the U.S. attorney's office said.

His federal trial is set to start January 28.  

Gilbert is also charged with nine felony counts of child sex crimes in Washington State.  He has pleaded not guilty to those, which include second-degree child rape and child molestation.