Sexual assault charges dropped because of witness issues

Charges have been dropped in the case of a man who prosecutors say sexually assaulted a woman in a Salt Lake City motel room.

Barry Dewayne Higbee, 46, of West Valley City, was charged in 3rd District Court last year with aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated burglary, all first-degree felonies, along with forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

However, prosecutors on Tuesday asked 3rd District Judge Paul Maughan to dismiss the charges due to "some issues" involving a witness, according to Alicia Cook, spokesperson for the Salt Lake District Attorney's Office.

Cook did not elaborate on what those issues were and said there is a chance that the district attorney's office could refile charges in the future.