A Lake City man accused in connection with an identity theft scam says he's a victim -- not a participant.

The state attorney's office dropped charges against Brian Lowery Monday, citing insufficient evidence against him.

Lowery says someone stole his ID card last summer. Months later, that card was used to cash a counterfeit payroll check at a Gainesville Publix.

An investigator for the state attorney says no photo or fingerprint was taken at the time of the transaction. But Lowery was arrested on a warrant for the crime in August.

He spent 31 days in jail before a judge released him. He says he lost his job and fell behind on bills during that time.