A federal judge denied bail this morning for former Delaware death row inmate Isaiah McCoy pending trial in March for sex trafficking.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin S.C. Chang ordered McCoy detained to insure the safety of the public.

A grand jury indicted McCoy, 28, and his wife, Schofield Barracks soldier Tawana Roberts, earlier this month with sex trafficking by force, threats, fraud or coercion.

Roberts, 35, also remains in custody pending a bail hearing next week.

Honolulu police said the prostitution sting operation that resulted in the arrest of McCoy, Roberts and another woman grew out of its investigation into last September’s fatal shooting outside a Waikiki nightclub.

Maleko Remlinger, 23, of Kaneohe died in the Sept. 16 shooting outside Club Alley Cat and two others were injured.

Jordan Smith, 18, is awaiting trial in state court for attempted first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and firearm offenses.