Tangled Web Becomes Even More Tangled WVOW-- The tangled web in Mingo County has now become even more tangled. Suspended and indicted Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring with other Mingo County elected officials to keep a man from reporting late Sheriff Eugene Crum’s alleged past prescription narcotic purchases to the FBI. In a federal information filed on Thursday, Thornsbury is accused of working with Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Sparks, Mingo County Commissioner David Baisden, then Williamson Police Chief Dave Rockel, Crum and others to force George White, identified only as G.W. in the information, to fire his attorney and end his cooperation with federal investigators. According to the document, George White, who owned a sign making business, made signs for Crum’s campaign for sheriff in 2012. He was also Crum’s alleged drug dealer. After Crum won the election his campaign failed to pay White $3,000 for campaign signs. The debt remained unpaid when Crum took office. When White tried to collect the money Crum sent a confidential informant to White’s business to make drug buys. White was then arrested during the highly touted “Operation Zero Tolerance” massive drug sweep in the county. Dave Rockel was the Chief of Police in Williamson and the commander of the Mingo County Drug Task Force at the time. He signed off on the report of the confidential drug buy made at White’s business. Rockel who was serving as Chief Field Deputy under Rosie Crum was fired this week by new sheriff James Smith. Rockel said he had nothing to do with the arrest of White and was called in only as backup. White hired attorney Butch West to represent him on the drug charge. They began talks with the FBI about Crum’s drug purchases, drug use, and the refusal to pay for the signs and subsequent drug bust. Thornsbury’s role in the conspiracy started in March of this year when he allegedly promised White a lighter sentence for the drug charge if White fired West, hired an attorney he and others approved, and stopped talking to federal investigators. Of those implicated or mentioned in the information only Thornsbury is charged. Crum was shot and killed while eating his lunch near the Mingo County Courthouse on April 3. Tennis Maynard of Delbarton is charged with Crum’s murder. On Wednesday, Sparks recused himself from the Maynard case citing “an emerging conflict of interest.” Sparks vehemently denied any involvement in the matter and pointed out that Thornsbury already has a history of trying to frame people. The state Supreme Court is being asked to immediately suspend Mingo County Prosecutor Sparks by the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel. The Fire Soul Asylum say Sparks can no longer represent the interests of Mingo County residents. Thornsbury was previously charged with violating the Constitutional rights of the husband of his ex-mistress over a span of years. He allegedly abused his judicial power to target the man. Federal officials said his guilty plea will be for the information issued today. There is no word on a plea for those original charges against Thornsbury. A plea hearing is in the process of being scheduled for Baisden who is charged with extortion for allegedly ending Mingo County’s business with Appalachian Tire when his request for the county price for tires for his personal vehicle was denied. Members of Crum’s family have spoken out against the allegations saying that he is being used as a fall guy because he is no longer around to defend himself.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 13:45:38 +0000