Charges dropped against 'American Pie' actress of threatening sex abuse of dog

NEW YORK (AP) - "American Pie" star Natasha Lyonne, arrested after threatening to sexually abuse a neighbour's dog, left court a free woman Friday after a judge promised to dismiss the charges against her.

Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Anthony Ferrara said because Lyonne successfully completed a court-ordered drug program and paid US$2,000 restitution, he was sentencing her to a conditional discharge.

Assistant district attorney Remy Taborga confirmed Lyonne had met the conditions set by the court. The prosecutor recommended the conditional discharge, which means if Lyonne is not arrested within the next six months, the charges will be dismissed.

Lyonne, 27, was charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass and harassment in December 2004 after she entered a female neighbour's apartment screaming and yelling, a misdemeanour complaint filed in court said.

The complaint said Lyonne banged on the female neighbour's door, entered the apartment, ripped a mirror off the wall, picked up the woman's dog and said: "I'm going to sexually molest your dog."

After her arrest, Lyonne missed several court dates and the judge issued a warrant for her arrest. On Friday, Ferrara vacated the outstanding warrant.

During the Friday proceeding, drug counsellor Heather Hayes from the Caron Foundation told the judge Lyonne completed an inpatient drug program in February and was continuing to receive outpatient counselling.

"She's done excellently, very well," Hayes said.

Lyonne's lawyer, Terry Karl, said in court his client, who has also appeared "Blade," "Scary Movie 2," "Slums of Beverly Hills" and "Kate & Leopold," was working again after being idle for a long time after her arrest.

The Canadian Press, 2006