Some charges dropped against substitute teacher

Jackson County prosecutors have dropped three felony charges against a substitute teacher arrested earlier this month.

The decision came Wednesday in Jackson County Magistrate Court just before a preliminary hearing was set to start for Dustin Mullins. Mullins, 22, had just started substitute teaching at Kaiser Elementary on Jan. 2 when he was charged in connection with an alleged relationship he had in Wood County while student teaching there.

Deputies originally charged Mullins with four felony counts in connection with a 15-year-old girl. Wednesday prosecutors dropped three of them.

Mullins is no longer charged with use of obscene matter with intent to seduce a minor or two counts of attempting to commit a felony. He still faces a felony charge of solicitation of a minor via computer.

Investigators originally said Mullins had been communicating on Facebook with the girl and was soliciting nude photographs from her but there was no evidence that photos were ever exchanged.

Mullins remains free on bond after waiving the remaining charge to the grand jury.  The next grand jury meets in Jackson County in late February.