Charges dropped for couple who found drugs in home

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Prosecutors have dropped charges against a couple who told police they found drugs in their rental home.

Channel 2's Eric Philips met with Michael Keeley earlier this month after he and his wife were released from jail. He said he's glad the charges have been dropped but that doesn't remove the sting of what happened.

"We're frustrated, and we want to get back to our lives," Keeley told Philips.

Keeley walked Philips through his rental property in Rex on Nov. 1. Authorities were investigating tenants at the home. Agents arrested the men, processed the home and then turned it over to Keeley. 

Days later, when Keeley, his wife and their 9-year-old went to clean up the home, they said they discovered drugs in a hole in the bathroom wall. When he called Clayton County police, Keeley and his wife were questioned and charged with tampering with evidence.

"It's unheard of," Keeley's attorney, Jackie Patterson, said.

On Thursday, the county's assistant solicitor general dismissed all charges against the Keeleys, noting no criminal intent to tamper with evidence can be established.

"We're going to notify Clayton County that we do plan to sue them if they don't settle this case," Patterson said.

Keeley said the lawsuit is to make sure no one else has to experience a similar incident.

WSBTV