A former Maryland delegate for Donald Trump who was indicted last week on federal charges related to child pornography, illegally transporting explosives and illegally possessing a machine gun has been ordered to be released from jail.
Caleb Bailey, 30, appeared in a federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, Thursday for a detention hearing. A judge ordered Bailey, who is from Waldorf, to be released from jail.
The judge appeared to struggle with the decision to release Bailey and said he did not believe Bailey was a flight risk, but worried about the danger to the community.
Bailey faces up to 50 years in prison for charges including unlawful transport of explosives, illegal possession of a machine gun, production and attempted production of child pornography and possessing child pornography.
Federal prosecutors told the judge they found several unlicensed machine guns inside Bailey's home when they raided his property earlier in May. They also found explosives and projectiles.
Prosecutors said Bailey admitted to selling the guns to friends and family as well as licensed gun dealerships.
Bailey's defense lawyers argued Bailey was not producing child pornography and said surveillance cameras placed around his home, including one inside of a bathroom, unintentionally captured a minor stepping out of the shower and using the restroom.
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The release order is pending an appeal hearing by the government and Bailey will be held in jail for at least another week as federal investigators continue to comb through evidence collected at Bailey's home, including several hard drives.
Bailey's family and several members of the Charles County Republican Central Committee were in the courtroom. Bailey's father, Collins Bailey, is the chair of the committee.
