(February 23, 2007)--A South Texas judge threw out criminal charges Friday against embattled Willacy County District Attorney Juan Guerra.

Raymondville Municipal Court Judge Hector Huerta finally banged the gavel after more than two hours of argument.

The hearing was on whether there'd been an agreement to postpone the case.

But instead, Huerta dismissed the corruption charges against Guerra.

Guerra was charged with three felony counts of theft by a public servant after an investigation by special prosecutor and long-time political rival Gustavo Garza.

The charges allege Guerra tried to extort $10,000 from a bail bonds company, privately resold a car seized by forfeiture, and took $800 in public funds by seeking reimbursement for expenses he didn't make.

He also was charged with one count of interfering with the public duties of a peace officer after blocking the door of his office when Raymondville police tried to serve a search warrant.

After his Feb. 11 arrest, Guerra protested by camping outside the Willacy County Jail in a motor home and bringing in a new animal each day.

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