BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A charge of attempted child molestation against a former Ferndale police officer has been dismissed.

The prosecutor in the case submitted a motion on Monday, Feb. 6, in Whatcom Superior Court to dismiss the charge against Michael Scott Langton.

She wrote that, after careful consideration, there was evidence that he had intent but not that he took substantial steps to commit the crime.

Langton was arrested last July after a woman he was dating reported that he propositioned her about having sex with her preteen daughter.

The Ferndale Police Department fired him after his arrest.

The department had previously placed Langton on leave after he contacted far-right extremist groups following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.