Suspended Columbus Police Chief Denied Bond

Accused of conspiracy in smuggling guns to Mexican drug cartels, the suspended police chief of Columbus, N.M. was back in Las Cruces Federal Court Thursday, hoping a judge would grant him bond.

Moments after the ruling, ABC-7 broke the news that Angelo Vega is staying behind bars, U.S. District Judge Robert Brack decided.

Inside the courtroom, there were brief moments where Vega turned around and made eye contact with his children and family. When the ruling was read, they broke down in tears and consoled each other in the hallway.

Vega was calm as federal prosecutors convinced Brack to deny his appeal.

Federal prosecutor Nathan Lichvarcik said Vega is, ?The badge in the back pocket for this conspiracy.?

Later, Vega shook his head in disapproval as Lichvarcik explained to Brack how Vega used his police credentials to run license plate numbers on suspicious vehicles in Columbus? a tactic federal prosecutors said Vega used to keep tabs on any outside law enforcement possibly catching-on to the alleged illegal activity.

Lichvarcik told Brack, ?Anything short of detention for Vega is a roll of the dice the public does not deserve.?

In response, Brack said, ?Vega conspired with the dark side, feeding the madness south of the border? I am not convinced that if we release Vega today, we will know where he will be tomorrow.?

Vega?s attorney, Jess Lilley, accused prosecutors of simply using key words like ?guns? and ?Mexico;? and said their argument lacked specific evidence to prove he is indeed a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Vega faces up to five years in prison.