CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The sentencing of a former Mingo County prosecutor in a federal corruption investigation is being pushed back another month.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston signed an order Friday rescheduling Michael Sparks’ sentencing for April 24. Sparks had been set for sentencing next Wednesday.
Sparks and ex-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 scheduled for sentencing on April 21.
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