Bobby Sparks, 60, is free on a $13,000 bond pending his hearing on charges of using weapons while intoxicated, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises and inducing panic, all misdemeanors, as well as having weapons while under disability-alcohol, a felony charge.
The case was originally filed in Butler County Area Court II before it was transferred to the Area III court late last week, according to court records.
INITIAL REPORT: May 11
A former Monroe police officer was arrested Wednesday on several charges involving a weapon.
Monroe police responded to the 300 block of Yankee Road at 11:50 a.m. on a report of an intoxicated male who reportedly discharged a firearm, according to a police report.
Police arrested former officer Bobby Sparks, 60, inside his home without incident, according to Public Information Officer Joshua King.
MORE: Police officer charged with OVI after multi-vehicle crash
He was taken to the Butler County Jail where he was booked on charges of using weapons while intoxicated, discharging a firearm on or near prohibited premises and inducing panic, all misdemeanors, as well as having weapons while under disability-alcohol, a felony charge.
Sparks is being held at the Butler County Jail without bond on the felony charge. No court date has been set as of Thursday afternoon.
In February, the Journal-News reported that Sparks had been charged on Feb. 13 with OVI after a multi-vehicle crash.
King said that Sparks, a part-time patrol officer since 1978, retired from the police department on Feb. 28 after his OVI arrests.
In that incident, Sparks pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of physical control on April 24 and was sentenced to a 48-hour intervention program, 30 days in jail (with all days suspended), and $240 in fines and costs in Middletown Municipal Court.
Sparks also pleaded no contest to a failure to control charge and was found guilty and ordered to pay $111 in fines and costs. A third charge of being left of center was withdrawn at the request of prosecutors.
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