Richards, 32, filed a motion to exonerate bail and release of vehicle through his court-appointed defense lawyer Joseph James Norita Camacho on Friday afternoon.
Camacho, in his motion, noted that the charges against his client have been dismissed without prejudice as moved by the Attorney General’s Office.
Court documents showed Richards posted a $1,000 cash bail, representing 10 percent of $10,000, and a $9,000 unsecured bond.
Last September, the AGO summoned the former police officer and Virginia Q. Richards as parties in interest in connection with the forfeiture of the seized 1993 Toyota Hi-Lux pick-up truck.
Court documents did not state how former police officer Richards is related to Virginia Richards.
Last July, Florencio Richards and Belinda O. Omengkar, 38, were arrested by the CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force for possession and trafficking of “ice.”
Police also seized Richards’ government-issued 9mm pistol found on the driver-side floor mat of the vehicle.
In his motion to dismiss without prejudice, Chief Prosecutor Michael L. Ernest said “the commonwealth believes it is in the interest of justice and judicial economy that the charges…be dismissed without prejudice” since Richards is also facing similar charges in federal court.
But Ernest told the court that the AGO “wishes to continue the prosecution” of Richards’ co-defendant, Omengkar.
Richards has been in detention after he surrendered to federal authorities last October.
The federal government charged Richards with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
