The testimony of two visibly shaken young men has caused a federal judge to refuse bail for Nevada City resident David Carli, who will remain behind bars prior to a trial for possession of child pornography.

In a written ruling issued late Wednesday, U.S. Judge Gregory Hollows said Carli, 66, is dangerous to the community and should not be freed prior to trial. Hollows said he based the ruling on the testimony of the two young men who said Carli gave them gifts, liquor and marijuana in exchange for sex.

In his ruling, Hollows said, "One was visibly angry at Carli and at times would look directly at him and call him a monster. The other was shaken and despondent about his more serious sexual activity with Carli."

The judge also said in the ruling that Carli was "a longtime, heavy child pornography user."

Hollows said it was not likely that Carli would refrain from acquiring more child pornography "or subjects for his sexual endeavors" if he remained free. The judge said hundreds and possibly thousands of photos of youths engaged in sexual acts were found at Carli's home during two drug raids in 2002 and 2004.

Carli was indicted by a federal grand jury Aug. 17 on two counts of possessing child pornography based on the evidence found during the drug raids. The second raid was launched after community members said they saw many young men going in and out of the Carli home and suspected child molestation.

But Carli was not charged with sex crimes after the raids and was found guilty of marijuana charges. He is now being held by U.S. marshals in the Sacramento County Jail.

No future court dates have been set for Carli, but "it could be a long time," according to Dan Badour of the Nevada City Police Department who arrested Carli at his home with the help of the FBI. "In federal court, stuff takes awhile."

Badour said more people with knowledge of Carli's past are coming forward with information because of publicity and the fact that it reached the federal court level.

"It's hard for people to come forward on something like this," Badour said. "It's a nasty crime."

Anyone with knowledge about Carli's past or any alleged molestations is urged to call Badour at 265-4700, Sgt. Joe Salivar of the Nevada County Sheriff's Office at 265-1471, or Special Agent Chad Coulter at the FBI office in Chico at 893-0655.

'Rambling letter'

The judge also said "a rather strange rambling letter" written by Carli and found in the 2002 raid added to his decision to hold him in custody. The letter read:

"Most females are stupid emotional wrecks; they raise sons who are stupid, female-controlled males. A German study of 8,000 boys who were molested showed that not one had a lifetime negative effect, even the boys who were forced.

"Don't make victims out of boys. Let them become men. Only men can make a boy a man. Females only make a boy a good boy man."

Judge Hollows said the letter "is indicative of a mind-set which believes child molestation is good for minors."

Character witnesses for Carli did nothing to sway Hollows' feelings and would not concede in the detention hearing that marijuana and alcohol were supplied to minors.

"The painting of the Carli household as one simply to benefit wayward boys, and sometimes girls, is hardly one based in reality," the judge said. "The whole 'young boy atmosphere,' including their ubiquitous presence and the exorbitant gifts, were simply too strange to be explained by some altruistic intent."

Hollows, however, did deny U.S. Attorney Matthew Stegman's argument that Carli was a flight risk. The judge said Carli's real estate assets are not solely owned by him and couldn't be converted into cash quickly to finance an escape. Carli's age was also cited as a reason why he was unlikely to flee.

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To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail davem@theunion.com or call 477-4237.