Charges dropped against ricin letters suspect Paul Kevin Curtis (VIDEO)

Authorities on Tuesday dropped charges against Paul Kevin Curtis, the Mississippi man accused of sending ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama, a senator and a county judge, as police reportedly turned their attention to another man. 

A federal judge issued the order hours after Curtis, 45, was released from jail and court proceedings were canceled after a search of his home in Corinth failed to turn up any incriminating evidence.

The Clarion-Ledger reported police searched the home of another Mississippi man, J. Everett Dutschke, in connection with the case on Tuesday. Dutschke denied he had anything to do with the letters. 

But Curtis' lawyer, Christi McCoy, told CNN that she believed her client had been framed by someone "familiar with Kevin."

According to the Wall Street Journal, McCoy said earlier in the week that Curtis and Dutschke, both musicians, had been involved in a dispute.

Curtis was arrested last Wednesday and charged with mailing ricin-laced letters to Obama, Sen. Roger Wicker and a judge in Lee County, Mississippi.

After the charges were dropped, Curtis told a news conference that he loved the United States and would never harm a public servant. 

"This past week has been a nightmare for myself and my family," Curtis told reporters.

"My mother has suffered, as well as my children. I would like to get back to normal, which for me means being the best father I can to my children."

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