Embattled Mingo prosecutor files more information with state Supreme Court

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Mingo County Prosecutor Michael Sparks filed more information Monday with the state Supreme Court denying he had knowledge of most of the information alleged in federal charges filed last week against Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury.

The federal information filed Thursday said Sparks was part of a conspiracy that pressured a drug defendant to switch attorneys because the defendant was talking with the FBI about the drug habits of former Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum. In exchange, the man would be given a lighter sentence by Thornsbury.

Sparks strongly denied any wrongdoing in an emergency response filed Friday with the High Court through his attorney Lonnie Simmons.

In Monday’s court filing, Sparks went through the federal information filed against Thornsbury line-by-line denying, in most cases, he had knowledge of what was happening. Sparks said he was not part of any scheme.

The West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel wants the state Supreme Court to suspend Sparks. Sparks has not been named in federal charges. He said he voluntarily cooperated with federal investigators.

Thornsbury has already agreed to plead guilty to denying the drug defendant’s constitutional rights.