Wrong language on indictment leads to dismissed charges

The wrong language on a true bill of indictment led to charges being dropped against an Oak Island man facing sexual offense charges.

Matthew Wayne Britt, 26, of 129 NE 23rd St., Oak Island, was originally indicted on three felony counts of sexual offense on a 13-year-old girl Oct. 26, 2009.

But district attorney Rex Gore said the proper charge was statutory rape because the alleged offense included sexual intercourse.

Gore said when attorneys were selecting a jury for the trial, scheduled for last week, they determined the wrong language was used in the indictment, leading to the charges being dropped.

“The actual language in the indictment was wrong,” Gore said.

On July 27, Britt was charged with nine felony counts of statutory rape for the offenses, which included the previous three.

Gore said Britt was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Aug. 4.