Judge considers Elkhart fraud suspect a danger to community, denies leave

A man at the center of a suspected murder-for-hire plot will have to remain on house arrest.

Investigators say Charles Ray Smith ripped off four victims with a phony investment scheme, stealing at least $300,000. ABC57 has covered these allegations, which authorities say led to Smith trying to hire a hitman to get rid of victims and witnesses.

According to our partners at the Elkhart Truth, U.S. magistrate judge Michael Gotsch Sr. denied Smith's request to leave his home for work at a hearing this week; believing Smith is a flight risk who poses a danger to the community.

Smith is currently on house arrest, with travel limited to medical treatments, until his July 26 trial for federal wire fraud.