CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Canfield doctor accused of sex trafficking girls will remain behind bars in spite of arguing that he should be released because his lawyer can’t visit him in jail because of the coronavirus outbreak.

U.S. District Judge Pamela Barker on Monday denied a motion to release 52-year-old Dr. Albert Aiad-Toss who is waiting to be put on trial.

According to investigators, Aiad-Toss allegedly victimized six girls ranging from 12 to 15 years old by coercing, and sometimes physically forcing them, to engage in sex acts with him for money.

Aiad-Toss asked Judge Barker to release him from jail until his trial because the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office has implemented an indefinite suspension of inmate visitation due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

While the suspension does not include attorney visitation, Aiad-Toss says his lawyer is 68 years old and considered to be at high risk for severe illness by the CDC should he be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

According to Aiad-Toss, his release from pretrial detention would enable him and his counsel to “more meaningfully confer for purposes of preparing for trial in this case.”

In denying the release motion, Judge Barker points out that the Mahoning County Jail’s COVID-19 restrictions do not appear to put any limitations on Aiad-Toss communicating with his attorney by phone, videoconferencing, or writing.

In addition, prosecutors say Aiad-Toss has the financial means to flee if released. He earned approximately $300,000 per year as an emergency physician and his wife sold their home for $782,500 after his detention. Aiad-Toss also admitted to having a 401k account with an approximate balance of $300,000 and owning other real estate.

While Aiad-Toss does not have his passport, Judge Barker notes that it doesn’t mean he could flee to somewhere else in the U.S. and not appear for trial.

According to a Pretrial Services Report, when the warrant for his arrest was issued in July, Aiad-Toss was found in Florida.

Aiad-Toss, who faces ten counts of sex trafficking a minor and two counts of child pornography, previously worked as an emergency room doctor at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Boardman.

Mercy Health officials say that Aiad-Toss worked for an outside company, not Mercy Health directly.

He was taken off of St. Elizabeth's schedule when the initial allegations came to light.

The Ohio Medical Board has suspended Aiad-Toss’ license to practice medicine.

The next hearing in the case, scheduled for Thursday, will be held via telephone.

You may read the judge's order here