GBI: Sparks Mayor and Public Works Supt. arrested on felony theft counts
Sparks Mayor Earl Jackson, 77, and Sparks Public Works Superintendent Antoyo “Buck” Tucker, 42, were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, and each charged with felony theft by conversion and felony theft by taking (two counts), according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Earl Jackson
On Thursday, Sept. 22, at around 10:30 a.m., the GBI Douglas Regional Office was requested by the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office to conduct a theft investigation.
Preliminary information indicates that both Jackson and Tucker, while working for the City of Sparks as Mayor and Superintendent respectively, used city funds to purchase items for personal use.
According to warrants taken by the GBI, during offense times between Aug. 2 and Sept. 7, 2022, Tucker illegally converted $900 of City of Sparks funds for his own use and unlawfully appropriated the funds to purchase a set of tires to be placed on his personal vehicle. The alleged offenses were in violation of Official Code of Georgia 16-8-2.
A Magistrate Court judge signed the arrest warrants Oct. 11.
According to the GBI warrants, during offense times on Aug. 5, 2022, Jackson illegally converted $450 of City of Sparks funds for his own use and unlawfully appropriated the funds to purchase tires to be placed on his wife’s personal vehicle. The alleged offenses were in violation of Official Code of Georgia 16-8-2.
Antoyo Tucker
A Magistrate Court judge signed the arrest warrants Oct. 11.
Jackson and Tucker turned themselves in to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Tucker was released from the Cook County Jail Oct. 12 on an $18,000 property bond. Bond conditions include no contact with city employees of Sparks and any employees in relation to his position (must not go within 500 feet of them). Tucker shall not have any access directly or indirectly to funds related to his position.
Tucker has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.
Jackson was released from the Cook County Jail Oct. 12 on an $18,000 property bond. Bond conditions include no contact with city employees of Sparks and any employees in relation to his position (must not go within 500 feet of them). Jackson shall not have any access directly or indirectly to funds related to his elected position.
Jackson has requested a court-appointed defense attorney.
The cases are pending in Cook County Superior Court.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sparks Police Department at (229) 549-8211 or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit
“Due to this being an active investigation, my only comment at this time is that arrests have been made, it is an ongoing investigation, and I’m not willing to go into the details and specifics at this stage in the case/investigation,” District Attorney Chase Studstill told the Adel News.
Following the arrests, an emergency Sparks City Council meeting was held Wednesday evening at City Hall. City Attorney Tommy Coleman told the Council that the Governor will appoint a three-person tribunal to determine whether Mayor Jackson should be removed from office until the criminal charges are resolved.
Following an executive session, closed to the public, the Council voted to have Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Cheatum take on the duties of presiding officer at meetings until the charges against Jackson are resolved. The Mayor Pro-Tem also will take on the other city duties held by the Mayor of Sparks, including Personnel Director, Purchasing Agent, and Finance Officer.
The Council also voted to suspend Tucker with pay until the case against him is resolved.
The Adel News will have more information in our next issue.
