Sparks

BUCKHANNON – An Upshur County man is facing a felony charge after allegedly strangling his wife during an argument.

Cody Mikel Sparks, 35, is charged with one count of strangulation, suffocation or asphyxiation, a felony. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond.

According to the criminal complaint, filed by Sgt. B.L. Newbrough with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday, March 1, Newbrough responded to a residence on Garfield Road in Buckhannon regarding a “mental/emotional male” who had called 911.

Upon arrival, Newbrough met with the male subject, identified as Sparks, who was in the driveway, speaking with EMS, the complaint states. Sparks allegedly said he needed to be taken away because he had “torn up the inside of his house and headbutted the wall.” When Newbrough asked who else was in the home, Sparks said his wife and two children.

While Sparks was being medically evaluated, Newbrough went inside the residence and made contact with Spark’s wife, the alleged victim, the complaint states. Upon initial contact, Newbrough reportedly noticed the alleged victim was “visibly upset and crying.” He also noticed several large holes in the walls in one of the bedrooms.

The alleged victim reportedly advised Newbrough that she and Sparks had gotten into a verbal argument, the complaint states. During the argument, Sparks allegedly grabbed her “by the throat with both of his hands,” and held the alleged victim down on a sofa-chair in the living room. She also advised that, when Sparks’ hands were around her neck, she was allegedly “being choked” and was struggling to breathe.

Newbrough writes that he observed a red mark on the alleged victim’s neck, “consistent with her statement of being choked.” After his medical evaluation, Sparks was arrested.

A preliminary hearing for Sparks has been scheduled for March 12 at the Upshur County Magistrate Court.