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Charges Against Former Texas Officers Dismissed

Multiple charges against two former West Texas officers have been dismissed by a judge who determined the case against them lacked sufficient evidence.

State District Judge Gonzalo Garcia threw out charges against Jose Alvarez and Javier Varela. They had been accused of official oppression and other charges. Alvarez was a lieutenant with the Socorro force and Varela a detective.

Alvarez, Varela and a third officer were arrested last year when Texas Rangers and state troopers raided a Socorro police substation. The case against the third officer, Refugio Orta, continues.

The case stemmed from the arrest of a man outside a convenience store. Prosecutors had argued the officers didn't have probable cause to make the arrest.

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Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.