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An Ogdensburg City Court judge dismissed drug charges April 5 against a Heuvelton man after prosecutors failed to meet speedy trial deadlines.
Robert J. Pike was arrested in May on a charge of allegedly selling oxycodone as part of a countywide sting by the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force. He was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony.
Prosecutors later dropped the felony charge to two misdemeanor counts and sent the case back to City Court. But in the process, too much time elapsed.
Judge William R. Small said when Mr. Pike was arraigned on the charges Jan. 17, prosecutors had violated his speedy trial protection by 66 days.
He wrote when Mr. Pike was arraigned in May for the felony charge, his six-month clock for a speedy trial began.
Judge Small denied a request from the district attorneys office to hold a hearing before he made a decision.
Assistant District Attorney Jonathan L. Becker said he was not familiar with the case and declined to comment. Mr. Pike was represented by Assistant Public Defender Steven G. Ballan.