The Scotts Bluff County Attorney's office has filed notice it is dismissing the cases against Legacy Auto executives Allen Patch and Rachel Fait so that federal charges may be pursued.

The notice filed Wednesday by Scotts Bluff Deputy County Attorney John Childress indicates the state is reserving the right to refile the charges in Scotts Bluff county District Court if the feds don't take action.

Patch and Fait had faced trial beginning Monday on 166 felony counts regarding the disappearance of 86 vehicles in March from the Scottsbluff dealership. Fait's attorney Audrey Elliott says the dismissal of the charges means she and her client will have a much happier Thanksgiving holiday.

Childress said Wednesday federal officials have been helpful and indicated they will " take a hard look and see if they will be able to do it". Childress said he had asked the Attorney General's office for help but was told "they didn't have anyone with the expertise to handle it."

Elliott believes "it would be very surprising" if the U.S. attorney's office filed charges, since they have taken no legal action since March and have released the vehicles that were found at auction houses in Nevada and Utah. Elliott says if charges are filed in either federal or in state court, her client is ready to defend herself, noting a "lot of the leg work had already been done".

Elliott continues to maintain the moving of the cars was a "business transaction that was taken completely out of proportion" because of "the rarity of it." Elliott maintains there was "no criminal intent" and it was shown by the dismissal.

Patch's attorney Dave Eubanks has been unavailable for comment.