Published January 13, 2015
Federal prosecutors have charged two more Mingo County, W.Va., officials in a widespread investigation that already has brought down a judge and county commissioner.
Prosecutor Michael Sparks was charged Wednesday in a scheme to protect the reputation of the county sheriff who was slain in an unrelated shooting.
In a separate case, prosecutors charged Magistrate Dallas Toler with illegally registering a felon to vote in 2012. Toler resigned earlier Wednesday.
Both were charged in a document called an information, signaling that they are cooperating with prosecutors.
Sparks is accused in a scheme to protect former Sheriff Eugene Crum from revelations he'd bought drugs from a campaign sign-maker.
Former Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury pleaded guilty to the same scheme last week. Another official pleaded guilty to extortion.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/feds-indict-2-more-in-w-va-in-widespread-county-scandal-prosecutor-magistrate-face-charges