State charges dropped in alleged assault of girl

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Prosecutors dropped state charges against a man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in a discount store, clearing the way for a federal trial in October, officials said.

At the Oct. 14 trial, Allen Dwayne Coates faces a federal charge of crossing a state line with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a person younger than 12. Coates, 37, of Irvington, Ky., faces up to life in prison if convicted.

The state charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution were dismissed earlier this week.

Coates was arrested four days later after a tip from a family member.

Coates also faces a Kentucky charge of attempted sodomy for allegedly trying to assault a 9-year-old girl at a Wal-Mart in Ashland, Ky., about 60 miles west of Charleston, one day before the Target attack.