Former Cop Convicted in Connection to Chop Shop

ROME, Ga. - A federal jury in Rome has convicted a former Polk County police investigator on three of six charges related to the operation of a Cedartown chop shop.

The jury convicted 40-year-old Mark Howell Sparks of Cedartown on Thursday of informing the target of an investigation that he was being investigated, obstructing a criminal investigation and possession of a pickup truck with an altered vehicle identification number with the intention to sell the vehicle.

Sparks was acquitted of operating a chop shop and attempting to dispose of vehicle parts.

Sparks' attorney, Jimmie Berry, says his client was set up by the actual chop shop conspirators.

Sparks will be sentenced on Oct. 6. He says he plans to appeal.