Charges have been dropped against an Orcas Island man accused of rape.

Judge Donald Eaton has accepted the prosecutors’ motion to dismiss the case against 18-year-old Peter Anderson. It was scheduled for trial beginning Feb. 7.

On June 18, Anderson, pleaded innocent in San Juan County Superior Court to one count of second-degree rape, a Class A felony. Andersen was represented by Charles Arndt, a former county public defender, of the Coupeville-based law firm of Arndt and Walker.

The case has been dismissed “with prejudice,” which means it cannot be brought up again.

Prosecutor Randall K. Gaylord said that his office was preparing for trial when they learned that the 14-year-old alleged victim felt she needed to end her participation in the case.

“We make every effort before filing charges to assess a victim’s ability to stay with the case,” Gaylord said. “But in a case like this, if a victim declines to proceed, we are compelled to promptly ask the court to dismiss the case for that reason only.”

Anderson’s mother, Elise Anderson, told the Sounder: “Those working for Mr. Anderson have uncovered what they believe to be serious misconduct on the part of the Sheriff’s department and Prosecutor’s office. They contend he should never have been charged and that a great deal of taxpayer money was expended needlessly.”

For more information, see State v. Anderson, San Juan County Superior Court No. 10-2-05016-4.