Christensen called the charges against him part of a "political agenda" to lump antique dealers into the same category as shady pawn shop owners who profit from buying stolen property.
He said he became entangled in the theft case after purchasing a painting from his business associate, John W. Pilcher, only to discover later that the artwork had been stolen during a home burglary.
Christensen, 62, was charged May 16 with one count of theft by receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Judge Sheila McCleve dismissed the charges after denying a request from prosecutors for more time to line up witnesses. Prosecutors, however, said they may refile charges against Christensen.
Police said Christensen knowingly purchased the stolen painting, "Approaching Storm," by artist Edwin Evans.
But Christensen said he was the fourth person to purchase the painting after it was stolen, and that he returned the artwork when the rightful owner came looking for it at his shop.
Pilcher told police he bought the painting from another man out of the trunk of a car in a Sears parking lot for $1,000.
Pilcher then sold it to Christensen for $5,000, who valued it at $30,000, according to charging documents.
Christensen's attorney Ken Brown called the charges against his client "ridiculous." Christensen trusted Pilcher as an honest antique dealer and was caught off guard by allegations of a theft ring, he said.
Eight people charged in theft ring
Antique dealer Anthony B. Christensen was one of eight people charged with being part of an alleged antique theft ring. A judge dismissed a theft charge against Christensen.
* Christensen's business associate, John W. Pilcher, 66, also charged with theft, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
* Shane Kennedy, 42; Sonny Gines, 24; Dennis Hobot, 41; Ricky Hepner, 28; and Gerald Kory Lloyd , 46, are charged with thefts in Summit and Salt Lake counties.
* Kennedy, Gines, Hepner and Lloyd have not yet had preliminary hearings. Hobot pleaded guilty to attempted theft and is to be sentenced Aug. 11.
* An arrest warrant has been issued for Carrie Lynn Galloway, 30.
