Wayne County prosecutors were granted their request for charges to be dropped against a Clawson woman accused of lying to investigators in connection with the disappearance and death of 17-year-old London Thomas. 

Charla Rashida Pendergrass, 48, was charged in May with lying to a peace officer in a violent crime investigation. Those charges were dropped Monday after prosecutors noted that Pendergrass allegedly lied to FBI agents while they conducted a criminal investigation into Thomas' death. 

During Monday's proceedings, it was determined that a federal agent does qualify under MCL - Section 750.479c.

The county's case against Pendergrass was dismissed without prejudice; however, federal prosecutors can refile charges against Pendergrass at a later date. 

"The issue is very simple. Under the Michigan statute, it was lying to a peace officer, and a peace officer is defined as a Michigan State Police officer, a deputy or someone along those lines who is authorized under the state of Michigan. The alleged activity was with a federal officer, so there's no case here," said defense attorney Terry Johnson. "I'm glad they did the right thing, so hats off to those guys." 

Pendergrass, who is the mother of Thomas' boyfriend, was arrested and charged on May 4. 

Thomas was last seen around midnight on April 5 after she was dropped off at an Inkster residence on the 27000 block of Carlysle Street near Inkster Road.   

Thomas' body was found in Southfield on April 26. Neighbors living in the area of Millard Street near Berg Road say her body was found inside an SUV parked in the driveway of a home.