Judge dismisses 44 charges including rape, oppression against former Tennessee deputy
Judge argued that a review of civil litigation did not support prosecution of the case
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A judge dismissed a 44-court indictment on Friday against a former Tennessee sheriff's deputy that included charges of rape, sexual battery, oppression and extortion.
The move by Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman came after a prosecutor said he "sees no avenue of prosecution" in the case against former Hamilton County deputy Daniel Wilkey, news outlets reported.
"Justice demands this case be dismissed," Steelman said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Special prosecutor Kevin Allen filed a motion to dismiss the case because he said former Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston failed to provide him with case files and other investigative avenues including a review of civil litigation did not support prosecution.
A judge dismissed 44 charges including rape and oppression against a former Tennessee deputy.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Multiple lawsuits had accused Wilkey of misconduct during traffic stops, including an illegal drug search, a forced baptism and groping girls.
Wilkey’s attorney, Benjamin McGowan, released a statement that said his family is grateful for the thorough investigation.
"His findings, through painstaking analysis of the evidence, corroborate what we have maintained since the beginning: that the former district attorney’s criminal charges against Mr. Wilkey were factually unfounded and should never have been filed," the statement said.