Ashe County sheriff resigns, gets $71K; DA drops felony charges

ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — The sheriff of Ashe County is resigning the job he's held for one tumultuous year after prosecutors dropped felony obstruction charges and county officials agreed to pay him $71,000.

[READ MORE: Ashe County sheriff indicted for obstruction of justice]

Sheriff Terry Buchanan faced a hearing Monday to permanently remove him from office pending prosecution. Buchanan said Tuesday the money represents his salary for the rest of this year and allows him to recover from surgery.

Prosecutors charged Buchanan and sought his removal after deputies interrogated county workers.

Buchanan was appointed as sheriff after his predecessor retired soon after a deputy with a reality-TV resume was charged with murder for his second deadly shooting within three years.

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Associated Press