April 1, 2025
Deputy Patrick Lockett arrested Timothy Sparks (3/25/87) of Fanning Springs on January 1, 2025 for drug possession after being stopped for speeding. Sparks was one of the first arrests of 2025 and was released from the Levy County Detention Facility after posting bond.
On March 18th the LCSO Ag Unit Detective was notified by Levy County Animal Services of multiple complaints involving animal abuse at the home of Timothy Sparks. The Ag Detective responded to the home the morning of March 19th and found a dog lying in the driveway. The detective wrote in his report that the appearance of the dog was “alarming.” He described the condition of the dog was a score of 1 out of 9, or in layman’s terms near death. The detective made multiple attempts to contact the owner but no one would come to the door, even though he could hear people taking inside and was on scene for over 30 minutes.
Based on the animal’s condition he contacted Animal Service to come seize the dog. The detective noted that the dog had little hair, was malnourished, a severe rash covered her body, she appeared dehydrated and fleas could be seen crawling all over her. The dog was immediately taken to Animal Services for treatment by a Veterinarian.
The Ag Detective continued to investigate and obtained statements that Sparks was seen hitting and kicking the dog. One witness reported seeing Sparks shoot at the dog. However, the Vet reported the dog’s condition was far worse than expected. The Veterinarian’s report reflected multiple parasitic infestations, bacterial infection, yeast infection and evidence of starvation. The dog’s bowels only contained pine cone debris; evidence the dog was eating indigestible matter to stave off her hunger pangs. The dog was treated surgically to remove afterbirth that was not naturally expelled after delivering puppies. During surgery the Vet located and removed four shotgun buckshot pellets from the dog’s abdomen.
Deputies were alerted that Sparks needed to be located and arrested for animal cruelty based on this investigation. Deputy Lockett, already familiar with Sparks, began searching. He located Sparks in March 30, 2025 slumped over the steering wheel of his running truck in the parking lot of a convenience store in Fanning Springs. Sparks was taken into custody. During this arrest additional drug evidence was seized resulting in more drug charges.
Sparks is being held in the Levy County Detention Facility having been charge with a litany of felony criminal violations. His bond has been set at $130,000.00 on the newest charges. His previous bond was surrendered requiring him to remain in custody with no bond from his previous arrest.