All state charges against alleged drug ringleader Michael "Beanie" Wright were dismissed by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania Jan. 10 but will be refiled in federal court, Wright's attorney said yesterday.

Wright, 33, is accused of leading a group of 15 drug dealers who sold more than $800,000 worth of crack cocaine in Centre County, according to the State College Police Department. It is unclear why the case was moved to federal court.

Calls placed to the Middle District Court in Williamsport were not immediately returned.

Jennifer Bierly, Wright's attorney, said her client was previously facing five separate cases at the state level, adding up to 21 counts, 16 of which were felonies.

The charges included possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communications facility and criminal conspiracy.

In October, Wright pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wright's case is now under the control of federal prosecution.

Bierly said she will not be representing Wright at the federal level .

She did say that she filed appropriate motions at the state court level, but those motions were never heard before the court because of the dismissal by the state.

Bierly said that she is not sure where Wright is currently being detained.

He was being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility after being bound over for trial in September.

Bierly said a different federal code might alter the crimes with which Wright will be charged.

"The federal statute that defines the crimes may be different," Bierly said.

"I have no idea what the Feds have charged him with."