WARNER ROBINS -- Charges have been dropped against a Warner Robins man arrested last month for trashing illegally placed signs.

Joseph Howard, a Warner Robins resident, was charged with 23 counts of theft for picking up signs from the city’s rights of way, which is considered illegal placement according to city ordinances. The charges were dropped Aug. 7, according to Emery Griffith of the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.

Howard stated in the e-mail he wasn’t notified until Tuesday of the dismissal.

“I am not pleased at the abuse of power that I have been subjected to by the WRPD (Warner Robins Police Department), the magistrate and the Solicitor General,” Howard wrote.

Amy Smith, Houston County solicitor general, told police when they contacted her as one of the sign owners that she wanted to file charges. The majority of the signs were hers.

Griffith said Smith requested the charges be dropped.

To contact writer Christina M. Wright, call 256-9685.