AIKEN --- The state has dismissed all charges against Russ Ferrara, a former Aiken County councilman who was arrested more than three years ago after a 13-year-old girl accused him of fondling her.

Aiken County Solicitor Barbara Morgan confirmed that all the charges were dismissed last month, citing a host of issues with the case.

"The biggest delay was waiting for the judge to view the (Department of Social Services) records for release to the defense, which took about a year," she said.

Once the records were released, there were credibility issues with the victim, and the state could not locate a critical corroborating witness.

In June 2005, the Savannah River Site engineer was arrested on charges that he committed a lewd act on a minor. A year later, he was again arrested on accusations that he fondled a tenant of his Aiken apartment complex near Banks Mill Road and asked the 23-year-old for sex in lieu of rent.

Ms. Morgan said the state wanted to move forward, but some of the information in the Department of Social Services records could be detrimental to the credibility of the victim.

"It's clear there was probable cause to arrest, but it's also clear that given the problems with DSS and the credibility of the victim and the crucial (corroborating) witness no longer can be found, the state can no longer pursue prosecution at this time."

Attempts by The Augusta Chronicle to find a phone listing for Mr. Ferrara were unsuccessful. His attorney refused to comment on the case.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.