Federal judge dismisses NSA charges against peaceful protesters

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Gauvey dismissed all charges against 13 peace activists cited for protesting outside the National Security Agency in Fort Meade this summer.

Gauvey said an NSA security officer erred by charging the protesters in a situation where the officer lacked the legal authority to do so. The officer also failed to provide a statement of probable cause for the charges, the judge said.