Judge denies reduced bail for choir director

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A church choir director accused of committing lewd sexual acts with a 15-year-old choirgirl had a request for reduced bail denied today by a judge.

An attorney for Mark William Michaels, 53, asked Judge Michael Libutti in West Valley Superior Court to lower or eliminate Michaels' bail, which was set at $250,000.

Libutti denied the request. Micheals remained jailed at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, and he is next due in court June 30.

Michaels, of Upland, was arrested June 5 after a Montclair police officer saw him allegedly committing lewd acts with the girl in a car parked in an alley behind businesses in the 10200 block of Central Avenue.

Micheals and the girl both attended Bethany Baptist Church, 9950 Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair, police said.

Prosecutors have charged Micheals with four felonies. One of the charges is for the alleged lewd acts on June 5, while the other three crimes allegedly occurred between Jan. 1 and June 4.