Man accused of taking Army IDs to stay in custody

The Associated Press
Minneapolis

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Keith Michael Novak
Keith Michael Novak, an Iraq War veteran, is accused of stealing the identification information of hundreds of members of his former Army unit, is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing Monday, Dec. 16, 2013.
Courtesy Sherburne County via AP

A federal judge has ordered that a Minnesota man accused of stealing identification information from members of his former Army unit will stay in custody pending trial.

Keith Michael Novak is charged with fraud in connection with identity theft. He is a self-described commander of a militia, and prosecutors say he planned to use the stolen information to make fake IDs for militia members.

In an order this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Franklin Noel says Novak will stay in custody because no condition of release could reasonably assure the community would be safe.

The complaint says Novak threatened violence, and testimony during a hearing last month revealed he was armed when arrested. Novak's attorney had argued for his release, saying the statements Novak made were nothing more than boasting.

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