JOHNSONBURG — Two criminal cases against a Bradford man accused of assault and rape in Elk County have been withdrawn.

Richard C. Buterbaugh III, 28, had been scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings Jan. 20 for both cases before District Judge James Martin; however, the cases have been dropped, court records indicate.

The following charges Buterbaugh were withdrawn: in one case, rape by forcible compulsion, simple assault and two summary charges; and in the other case, simple assault and a summary charge, according to court records.

Both cases are now listed as closed.