A federal magistrate has agreed to let the Ouachita County judge out of jail but only on the condition that he be under home confinement until he is tried on bribery and fraud charges.

Prosecutors had sought to keep Hesterly locked up until trial because he allegedly made threats against a witness and a federal agent.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant ordered Hesterly to not have contact with any witnesses while under electronic monitoring at his parents' home in Camden.

Hesterly's ex-wife testified at the hearing in Hot Springs, saying he threatened to kill her and that he threatened an FBI investigator.

Prosecutors say Hesterly awarded a 2009 tornado cleanup contract to a company owned by another person charged in the case.