Pair arrested in sex sting denied bail

Two men arrested in an internet sting in March remain in custody without the opportunity for release on bond pending their trials for attempting to arrange to have sex with minors.

In separate bail hearings last month, federal judges ordered Ryan Cowley and Neal Both-Magnisi held in custody pending their separate trials for knowingly attempting to persuade, induce, entice or coerce a minor into having sex. The crime is punishable by a mandatory prison term of 10 years to life.

Cowley’s trial is scheduled in June. Both- Magnisi’s is in August.

Federal prosecutors argued Cowley and Both- Magnisi pose risks of danger to the community, particularly to children, that cannot be addressed with bail and electronic monitoring.

The FBI arrested Cowley on March 23 when he showed up to meet who he thought was the mother of girls ages 6, 9 and 13.

Both-Magnisi was arrested March 24 when he arrived to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old boy.

Federal prosecutors say Cowley told the undercover law enforcement officer posing as the mother of three girls that he had previously had sex with an 11-year-old relative and had had sexual contact with children even younger.

Both-Magnisi is a registered sex offender. He was convicted of molesting a 10-year-old boy in 2002. Federal prosecutors said that since his conviction, Both-Magnisi has been a manager at a Windward Mall store that caters to teens and young adults.