May 19, 2013
Prosecutors have dropped one of the most serious charges against the producer of "Girls Gone Wild."
Joseph Francis still faces 44 charges related to the sexy videos.
In circuit court Wednesday, the state attorney's office dropped a first-degree felony charge of trafficking hydrocodone.
That charge carries a 30-year penalty. However, prosecutors filed two new charges of possessing hydrocodone and oxycontin.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The 44 charges against the 30-year-old Francis include racketeering, promoting the sexual performance of a child and using a child in a sexual performance.
Francis was arrested in Panama City Beach in April after taping Spring Break with a film crew for a video.
