On April 1, 2023, while patrolling the area of New Hope Church Road, a Randolph County Sheriff’s deputy located an occupied vehicle in the New Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery and notified Randolph Communications of the check on the suspicious vehicle. The driver, identified as Aaron Joseph Thomas, had an active Civil Order for Arrest for child support out of Montgomery County and was detained. Soon after, Randolph Communications advised that Thomas was also a convicted felon.
The passenger and owner of the vehicle was identified as Erica Denise Sparks. During a subsequent search, Methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, heroin and paraphernalia were located. Both were arrested and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where the magistrate found probable cause for charges, as follows:
Thomas - felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of firearm by felon and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia against Thomas. Thomas was also booked on his civil order for arrest.
Sparks - felony possession of heroin and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
A first appearance was set for April 3, 2023, in Randolph County District Court.
Name of Defendants:
Erica Denise Sparks Aaron Joseph Thomas
Age: 35 Age: 29