Hung Case Dropped (WYTV-Youngstown, OH)

Hung Case Dropped

Charges against a Liberty Township man arrested last year on charges of cultivating marijuana have been dismissed.

A judge dismissed the charges filed against Tony Houng after defense attorney, Tom Zena, filed a motion asking for his clients release. Houng had posted bail in July of 2007 but was held in jail, even though he was not indicted until February 2008. Zena says this exceeded his client's right to a speedy trial.

According to court documents, prosecutors say the jail mistakenly held Houng under an immigration detainer, which expired the same day Houng posted bond. Jail officials say they are looking into the matter.

Zena says his client would also like return of the hundreds of dollars that were taken from him when he was arrested.

Houng is still being held in the county jail.

Immigration officials are expecting to pick him up in the next few days.

It is not known at this time if he will face deportation or if he will be set free.