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October 3, 2008

Deputy returns to duty after paying fine, restitution

Press staff reports

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — A Cherokee County sheriff’s deputy was rehired last month after completing a probationary sentence and paying a fine for wrongful use of a county vehicle.

Sheriff Norman Fisher confirmed Thursday afternoon that Robert Sparks was rehired as a part-time sheriff’s deputy after completing a deferred 30-day sentence and paying a $50 fine and $80.80 in restitution ordered after his no-contest plea. Part of the punishment for the offense calls for discharge from employment, according to the statute.

The investigation was opened when R.G. Ketchum told the District Attorney’s office someone informed him about seeing the patrol vehicle at Sparks’ full-time job site, the Cherokee Nation Casino in Siloam Springs.

Fisher has supported Sparks from the onset of the charges, which were filed after an investigation by the DA’s office. He said Sparks received permission from him to drive the county vehicle.

“I didn’t agree with this [filing charges] the first time,” Fisher said. “Robert’s a good man who was trying to take care of his family. There was no criminal intent on his part.”

Fisher said Sparks’ personal vehicle was out of commission at the time, and he had no way to his full-time job.

“The statute says it’s wrong,” Fisher said. “But it doesn’t say I can’t hire him back. He messed up, but he’s paid his fine and done what the court said.”

Fisher said he checked with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, and the misdemeanor charge won’t affect Sparks’ standing as a law enforcement officer. Fisher said the charge isn’t considered one involving “moral turpitude,” which would be a factor in his law enforcement career.

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