NEW ORLEANS - A defense lawyer has delivered a withering public criticism of federal prosecutors in the case against a former BP engineer once accused of deleting a string of text messages related to his work to stop the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Prosecutors dropped an obstruction of justice charge against Kurt Mix on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, admitting he deleted the texts without first getting permission from BP. He was sentenced to six months of probation. 

Defense attorney Joan McPhee said the texts were mostly personal exchanges, with only scant reference to the spill. She said the federal prosecutors pursued the case recklessly.

Mix told reporters he's glad the ordeal is over. Justice Department lawyers declined immediate comment.