White County Drug Enforcement Unit makes arrest

The White County Drug Enforcement Unit discovered drugs and a firearm at a residence while attempting to serve active warrants, on July 20, 2022.

The DEU, along with White County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rob Thompson, went to the residence of Brandon Sparkman after discovering he had two active warrants from Overton County. After Sparkman answered the door and was taken into custody, he reportedly requested to be allowed a cigarette before he was removed from the premises.

Granting his request, White County DEU Officer Bates followed Sparkman to the kitchen of the residence, but, when entering the kitchen, Sparkman allegedly attempted to block Bates’ view from items on the counters. After requesting that Sparkman move, Bates reportedly found multiple pills in a plastic bag.

Sparkman reportedly informed Bates the pills were hydrocodone, and he had recently purchased them. Officer Bates also reported seeing a substance believed to be marijuana and a pipe laying on the counter in plain view that is consistent with the use with meth.

While at the residence, two other individuals, one male and one female, were detained while a safety sweep of the residence was conducted for officer safety. When Detective Thomas and Sheriff Steve Page arrived on the scene, Sparkman reportedly advised them he had marijuana downstairs in a metal box and signed a consent for the officers to search his residence.

A search of the residence revealed 70 grams of what was believed to be marijuana, separately bagged in a downstairs bedroom along with scales believed to be used in the selling of marijuana. The search also revealed a yellow, shiny bag that was found hidden in a stairwell. The bag contained a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. In a bathroom on the upper floor, officers discovered a pistol.

Sparkman, who is a convicted felon, reportedly attempted to make the other occupants take responsibility for the firearm, but both the male and female occupants denied having possession of the gun.

After the search, Sparkman was transported to White County Justice Center for booking, while both the other two persons were released and left the residence. 

While at the justice center, Officer Bates reportedly received a phone call with an anonymous tip stating that Sparkman hid all his drugs in a fake wall. The Drug Enforcement Unit went back to the residence where Sparkman’s wife reportedly signed a consent to search the premises again. A second search was executed, and Officer Bates located a case with aluminum foil with a crystal-like substance believed to be meth.

Sparkman was charged with facilitation of possession weapon w/felony drug conviction, schedule II possession, possession of firearm during commission dangerous felony, possession drug paraphernalia, possession of legend drug, schedule VI possession w/intent manf/del/sell, schedule II possession .