Olympic box Siler's drug charges dropped

CINCINNATI, April 28 (UPI) -- A Cincinnati judge Monday dismissed drug charges against former Olympic boxer Ronald Siler, court officials said.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Norbert Nadel called Siler "a lucky man" after throwing out the case due to flawed police work and the disappearance of a key prosecution witness.

Siler told the Cincinnati Enquirer after the hearing that he planned to move to Knoxville, Tenn., and begin training for a professional boxing career.

The 28-year-old Siler was on the U.S. boxing team in 2004 and was eliminated in the second round of the Olympics tournament. Since he never fought professionally, he is considered a possible contender for the Beijing Olympic team.

Siler, a sixth-grade dropout and father of six, was on probation for assault when he was arrested last fall for drug possession and trafficking.

Nadel, who agreed not to send Siler to prison in the assault case, told him he should use the break he received in court to get his boxing career on track so he can eventually earn a decent living, the Enquirer said.