Submitted photoJustin Archie Clearman

A judge dropped a charge Wednesday during a probable cause hearing against a man accused of embezzling from Multi-County Community Service Agency, but the case is still expected to go before a grand jury.

Judge Douglas Engell, of Marion, determined that there was not enough evidence to bond Justin Archie Clearman, of Meridian, until the next available grand jury. The Meridian Police Department, however, will still present their evidence to a grand jury to seek an indictment, according to Sgt. Dareall Thompson.

Clearman had been charged with embezzlement following accusations that he had never returned equipment, valued at $12,000, from Multi-County. Ronald Collier, the executive director of Multi-County, did not comment on why Clearman had the equipment or his connection with Multi-County.

Multi-County, a non-profit agency, provides assistance to low-income families and operates a center that provides support for the homeless population of several counties in East Mississippi.

Clearman’s initial hearing on Monday was delayed because City Court Judge Robbie Jones had a conflict of interest. Jones had represented Clearman previously, including at a 2010 trial in which Clearman was declared not guilty in the manslaughter/ felony child abuse of 2-year-old Landon Tanner.