A French national living in the U.S. and arrested in Ontario for allegedly trying to buy a five-year-old over the internet will remain in custody following an immigration hearing Wednesday in Thunder Bay.

Patrick Molesti, 56, who police earlier identified by his pseudonym, Patrick Lamontagne, was arrested at the Greyhound depot in the northern Ontario city over the weekend when the Calgary-to-Montreal bus he was riding stopped for fuel.

His hearing took place via video link to Toronto before a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Molesti fled the U.S. state of Georgia on March 18, when police searched his home. Authorities allege they found child pornography on his computer.

Molesti is wanted in the U.S. on five charges, including one count of criminal attempt to commit child molestation, two counts of sexual exploitation of children, and two counts of theft stemming from allegations he stole two firearms before he fled the state.

Police in Georgia believe Molesti was trying to get to France from Quebec.

During Wednesday's immigration hearing, Molesti's lawyer conceded that his client was a flight risk, but said he maintains his innocence on the U.S. charges.

According to police documents presented at the hearing, Molesti had a hunting knife and "survival gear" when he was arrested.

Under Canadian law, the Canada Border Services Agency had to justify keeping him in detention for longer than 48 hours.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/03/ ... z0jouFYhO9