A judge today denied bail for an Oceanside youth minister accused of having a sexual relationship with a Murrieta girl.

Matthias Anderson, 41, lead pastor of New Wine Ministries International in Oceanside, is accused of having unlawful sex with a minor Murrieta girl over a two-year period.

He has pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal sex charges.

At a hearing today, his attorney asked the judge to set bail so that Anderson could go home, contending that the defendant has ties to the community and a large family base.

However, prosecutor Julie Baldwin argued that Anderson is facing 50 years in prison if convicted of all charges, which is a strong incentive for fleeing justice.

"Effectively this is a life term the defendant is looking at," Baldwin said.

The prosecution argued that the defendant was always very careful about ensuring he was communicating with the minor when speaking over the Internet and there were worries that the defendant might try to contact the girl if let out of jail.

The deputy district attorney said the defendant had invented a complex code to ensure he spoke to no one but the girl online.

"I have concerns about how strong she will be if he did get out and tried to contact her again," Baldwin said.

Murrieta police Detective John Therien testified that the alleged victim said the defendant threatened to leave the country if he were ever caught.

"He mentioned in several conversations with her that he had passports and he knew where to go," Therien told the court.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge F. Paul Dickerson agreed with the prosecution that Anderson would be a flight risk if released on bond.

"Based on what we heard there has been an unambiguous statement by the defendant that he would flee," Dickerson said.

"It's clear to the court that he would flee given the opportunity."

A felony settlement conference has been set for Jan. 3.