Created: 2/23/2006 12:14:18 AM 
Newland, NC -- A court official in Avery County who is running for sheriff was arrested Wednesday. Robert "Nub" Taylor faces four counts of altering court documents.
Authorities said Taylor changed the bail bonds of county jail detainees without judicial permission, resulting in several early releases.
The State Bureau of Investigation arrested Taylor at his office in the Avery County Courthouse in Newland.
Superior Court Judge James Baker also signed an order that effectively suspends Taylor from his job until his case is decided.
Taylor has been Avery County's clerk of superior court for 22 years.
Taylor says he has been changing documents, but he didn't know it was illegal. He says he believes he was arrested because he's now running for sheriff.
Associated Press
