Judge William Turnoff orders Volkswagen executive detained in U.S.

A U.S. judge has ordered a Volkswagen executive charged in the Justice Department’s emissions scandal investigation held without bail pending trial.

Oliver Schmidt was jailed Saturday at Miami’s International Airport as he prepared to fly home after a holiday. He was among 6 existing and previous Volkswagen executives charged in U.S. District Court in Detroit, this week. The other 5 remain in Germany and are not likely to be extradited.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Turnoff ruled Schmidt was a flight threat. His attorneys stated they prepared to appeal the choice.

The Justice Department likewise stated that Schmidt faces exactly what would be a reliable life sentence if founded guilty. Schmidt is accused of eleven felony counts, which could be penalized by approximately 169 years in prison, the government stated.

Volkswagen accepted to plead guilty and pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal fines.