MILWAUKEE -- A federal judge ruled Monday evening that Milwaukee Alderman Michael McGee Jr. is not eligible for release from jail.

Federal Judge Rudolph T. Randa overturned a ruling made Monday by Magistrate Judge Patricia Gorence that McGee could be released on $10,000 bail.

McGee supporters last month posted the $50,000 bail set for state charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit substantial battery, but once that bail was posted, the federal government took McGee into custody and asked he be held without bail.

Randa was convinced by prosecutors that McGee was a threat to the community when presented with evidence that the alderman had been attempting to intimidate witnesses from his county jail cell.

McGee, who has appeared calm and confident since he was arrested in late May, appeared shaken and devastated by Tuesday's ruling.

Supporters of the alderman reiterated their belief that McGee is being treated unfairly.

"Going through what we're going through now with our alderman, with our leader, of Milwaukee is ludicrous," supporter John Townsend said.