Tag: Michael Sparks

Charges Dismissed Against Figure in Mingo Probe

A judge has dismissed drug charges against a central figure in a federal corruption investigation in Mingo County.
 

The Charleston Gazette reports that Circuit Judge John Cummings on Monday granted a special prosecutor’s request to dismiss the state charges against George White without prejudice. That means the charges can’t be filed again.
 
Federal prosecutors have said the late Sheriff Eugene Crum had White arrested instead of paying $3,000 he owed for campaign signs made by White. White then went to federal agents and told them he provided Crum with pills.
 
Former county prosecutor Michael Sparks and former Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury have pleaded guilty to federal charges that they kept White from talking to the FBI to protect Crum. Crum was killed in an unrelated shooting last April.

 

Sentencing Postponed for Ex-Mingo Prosecutor

A former Mingo County prosecutor’s sentencing in a federal corruption investigation has been pushed back a week.
 
Michael Sparks will be sentenced March 5 in U.S. District Court in Charleston. Sparks had been scheduled for sentencing next Monday.
 
Sparks and former Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury were accused of protecting the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from revelations that Crum bought drugs from a campaign sign maker. Authorities said Sparks and Thornsbury kept the sign maker, George White, from talking to the FBI about Crum, who was killed in an unrelated shooting last April.  
 
Last year, Sparks pleaded guilty to depriving White of his constitutional rights and Thornsbury pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive White of his rights.
 
Thornsbury is set for sentencing on April 21.
 

Figure in W.Va. Corruption Probe Wants Trial Moved

A central figure in the federal corruption investigation in Mingo County wants his trial moved out of the county.
 
     Lawyers for 65-year-old George White of Delbarton say their client can’t get a fair trial in Mingo County.
 
     The Charleston Gazette reports that White’s lawyers filed a motion last week in Mingo County Circuit Court requesting a change of venue.
 
     Former Mingo County prosecutor Michael Sparks has pleaded guilty to depriving White of his constitutional rights. Former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury has pleaded guilty to conspiring to deprive White of his rights. They were charged in a scheme to protect the late Sheriff Eugene Crum from revelations that Crum bought drugs from White.
 
     White’s lawyers say Thornsbury and Sparks held significant political influence in Mingo County.
 

Mingo seeks new prosecutor, commissioner

The Mingo County Commission is expected to name a new county prosecutor and county commissioner this week.

Former prosecutor Michael Sparks and former Commissioner David Baisden resigned in October after they were charged in separate cases stemming from a corruption probe.
 
WSAZ-TV  reports that the commission interviewed candidates to replace Sparks and Baisden on Monday. Commissioners plan to name a new prosecutor and magistrate at their meeting on Wednesday.

Sparks is accused in a scheme to protect Sheriff Eugene Crum from revelations he’d bought drugs. Drum died in April in an unrelated shooting.

Baisden pleaded guilty in October to a federal extortion charge.
 

A Nov. 18 plea hearing is set for Sparks.
 
 

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