Associated Press - November 3, 2009 10:55 AM ET

DEMING, N.M. (AP) - Charges have been dismissed against a former Deming police officer who had been accused of twice allowing alcohol to be served to a minor.

Prosecutors could not produce a witness at a preliminary hearing for Paul Sanchez.

Magistrate Ray Baese dismissed the charges without prejudice, which allows refiling by the state if new evidence surfaces. Prosecutors say they plan to pursue the case.

Sanchez was the only 1 of 5 Deming officers and a police detective to face charges after the investigation, which examined whether alcohol was served to a 20-year-old Luna County dispatcher at parties in October 2008 and February 2009.

Sanchez's wife, Lauree, still faces a charge of serving alcohol to a minor.

Information from: Headlight, http://www.demingheadlight.com

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