Contact: Brian R. Chavez-Ochoa, 209-772-3013

VALLEY SPRINGS, Calif., Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Jenny Lind Fire Protection District Captain Albert Otto Engel, Jr., who had been charged with several counts of child molestation, had his entire case dismissed yesterday.  The judge in the matter signed the order dismissing the case for failure of proof.

Captain Engel had been charged in the Superior Court of California in and for the County of Calaveras, located in San Andreas, California with one count of violation of Section 288(a) of the Penal Code of the State of California, with one count of violation of Section 288.5 of the Penal Code of the State of California, and with one count of a violation of Section 288(c)(l) of the Penal Code of the State of California.

This is a wonderful and blessed victory for Captain Engel and the Lord's justice was served said Brian R. Chavez-Ochoa, attorney for Captain Engel.  "The evidence in this case clearly pointed to Captain Engel's innocence and the judge's dismissal for failure of proof bears that out."  "Captain Engel was forced to live in turmoil and distress waiting for the justice system to sort out the truth for what proved to be egregious and scurrilous allegations made by the alleged victim in this matter said Chavez-Ochoa."

The dismissal sets Captain Engel free from the horrid nightmare that he was thrust into over one year ago by the alleged victim said Chavez-Ochoa.  Captain Engel can now get on with his life and continue to serve and protect the public in his chosen profession of firefighting said his attorney.  This also proves that as a society we cannot rush to judgment but must allow the justice system to work said Chavez-Ochoa.