Editor’s note: The video above is from previous coverage.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Salvadoran journalist arrested during an anti-ICE protest in DeKalb County says he’s been taken back to the agency’s detention center in southeast Georgia.

Mario Guevara said Thursday night that he was transferred from the Federal Correctional Institution in Atlanta to ICE’s facility in Folkston, where he was previously detained soon after his arrest in June.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘I am being persecuted’ | Atlanta journalist held in ICE custody releases letter

“I want to take this opportunity to thank all our followers who have been praying for me,” Guevara said in a letter released through MG News. “I am now once again at the detention center in Folkston, and a lot has happened over the past week.

“I was held in two county jails and one federal prison. I was even the victim of threats and extortion, but thank God my attorneys acted quickly and were able to get me transferred urgently,” Guevara said. “I am aware that a long legal battle awaits me – all for having worked diligently to inform my community. I ask that you continue praying for me and my family. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.”

Guevara’s announcement came the same day that the solicitor-general of Gwinnett County said traffic charges he was facing in the county were dropped.

Guevara was facing charges of reckless driving, unlawful use of a telecommunication device and failure to obey signs in Gwinnett County. The charges were not related to his arrest while covering the protest in DeKalb County on June 14.

Gwinnett County Solicitor-General Lisamarie N. Bristol said the reckless driving and unlawful use charges “are being dismissed due to a lack of legal sufficiency.”

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“Under OCGA Title 40, these violations cannot be charged on private property, only public streets. At the time of the alleged incident, Mr. Guevara was driving on the private property of an apartment complex,” Bristol said.

Bristol said, “while there was probable cause to support the issuance of warrants,” for the third charge, “upon further investigation, there is insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.”

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“We understand the significant public interest in this matter and recognize that there are strongly held views on both sides. Our prosecutorial decisions are guided solely by legal standards and the sufficiency of evidence to meet the burden of proof required under Georgia law. We will continue to evaluate all cases using these same principles,” Bristol said.

Initially, Bristol said her office was not involved in the charges and would not be “making any decisions related to their pursuit or dismissal.”

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The charges stemmed from a May 20 incident where Guevara allegedly followed unmarked law enforcement vehicles as they patrolled through Norcross neighborhoods.

Guevara’s charges related to his June 14 arrest at the protest in DeKalb County were also eventually dropped.

Guevara had bonded out of Gwinnett County Jail following his June arrest, but he was then taken back into the custody of ICE, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at the Floyd County Jail before being transported to the federal corrections center in Atlanta.

ICE officials have said Guevara doesn’t have permanent residency, but his attorneys say he has a work authorization.

Atlanta News First has reached out to ICE for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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