Judge allows bond for Jesuit priest charged with molesting boys

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered a Jesuit priest accused of molesting a boy he traveled with on an overseas trip released on $50,000 bail.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys ordered the Rev. Donald J. McGuire, already free on bond while appealing a Wisconsin conviction on charges of molesting two boys in the 1960s, confined to his Oak Lawn home under watch by two third-party custodians until his federal trial. He also must wear an electronic monitor.

McGuire, 77, was charged last week with traveling to Switzerland and Austria seven years ago to have sex with a minor.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Ruder objected to the judge's ruling and said the government may appeal.

"He has historically and repeatedly ignored whatever restrictions they have placed upon him," she said.

Stephen Komie, McGuire's attorney, said the priest has been to court when ordered and prosecutors have made no allegations against him regarding inappropriate contact with minors since 2003.

The judge said he had a letter from the Jesuit order indicating that McGuire was being terminated as a priest. Komie said that could be appealed.

Before McGuire returns home he was expected to go to Wisconsin because of a detainer against him in a court there for allegedly violating probation.