MANKATO — A man accused of using Facebook to threaten a Blue Earth County deputy has had one of two charges against him dismissed.

A judge tossed a misdemeanor defamation charge against 26-year-old Timothy Garth Hansen Jr. However, a felony charge of making terroristic threats still stands.

Deputy Scott Wolfe had cited Hansen in April 2010 for an illegal ride on his dirt bike. Prosecutors say Hansen later said on Facebook, “if there’s ever a next time I’m just going to kick his (expletive).”

The criminal complaint says Hansen also got a citation in the mail, after which he wrote of Wolfe, “I think it’s time to settle the score.”

A judge found no probable cause for defamation but refused to dismiss the threat charge.