ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A former Catawba County superior court judge is charged with sex crimes against a child after officers arrested him at a hotel near the Biltmore House.
According to police reports, officers were called to a hotel near the Biltmore House over the weekend for a sexual assault of a child.
Dan Green was arrested and charged with sex crimes against a child, disseminating obscene material, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor along with providing alcohol to someone under 21.
Authorities said Green was released from jail after posing a $75,000 bond.
A judge told Green Monday in court he could face life in prison if convicted by a jury for statutory rape of a child.
(Dan Green)
Recently, the North Carolina Bar named Green "Citizen Lawyer of 2018" after practicing law for nearly 38 years in the Hickory area.
During that time, he also served as a judge, President of the Western Symphony, and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Catawba County.
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The current chair spoke with Channel 9 Monday, saying he was stunned by the news.
"Dan is a friend of mine and I am absolutely stunned by the news. I'm really at a loss for words and we'll just have to wait to see how this plays out," Vandett said.
Channel 9's Dave Faherty went to Green's law office in north Hickory, but no one there was able to speak about Green's arrest.