BUT, in this case I trust Phil to have vetted it, and the nolle prossequi is kind of a hint of (a) the snarky unwillingness of the Commonwealth Attorney to say "We blew it," but also (b) the realization that the deputies had kicked a hornet's nest and they were going to lose if it came to trial.
In my opinion they only had one question to ask this gentleman and that was to see his permit. I believe they are liable for everything after that point. They should be severely reprimanded for either their callous disregard for the law or their gross ignorance. With the number of officers involved it’s not too much to ask that at least one of them know what the hell they’re doing! Arrogance or incompetence.