Charges have been dropped against a 73-year-0ld Lake Charles man accused of having inappropriate contact with an 8-year-old girl.

Defense attorney Todd S. Clemons said the life of John Henry Guion was “turned upside down” when the girl falsely accused him on Feb. 12, 2017.

“An investigation commenced along with our client’s nightmare,” Clemons said in a emailed statement to the American Press.

Guion was indicted on May 18, 2018, of oral sexual battery.

Clemons said though Guion faced a sentence up to 99 years imprisonment without the benefit of suspension or parole, he rejected multiple offers from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office to plead to lesser charges.

“He stood firm in the face of a threat to upgrade the charge,” Clemons said.

Clemons said Guion’s “faith and endurance were rewarded” in March when the charges were dismissed.

“Cases like John’s should be considered when we all hear/read in the news about our fellow citizens being arrested and/or charged with committing crimes,” Clemons said. “All of us deserve the benefit of our constitutional presumption of innocence. It was our pleasure to represent Mr. John H. Guion for the last six years and support him during this journey to exoneration.”