Two individuals arrested in connection with a Crime Suppression Team investigation involving controlled buys and allegations of theft were sentenced in court on Wednesday.
Background
The Bulloch County Crime Suppression Team (CST) and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) were investigating Portal resident William Cody Sparks regarding the distribution of methamphetamine and a number of thefts. The investigation led to the eventual warrants for Sparks and one other, Jace Best.
On January 29, Jace Best of Sylvania was arrested at a residence in Screven County, GA on one count of Sale of Methamphetamine and one count of Manufacturing, Distributing, Dispensing, or Possessing Controlled Substance.Marijuana/Counterfeit Substance Near Park/Housing Project. He was transported to the Bulloch County Jail where he’s been since his arrest.
According to the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks began evading law enforcement after Best’s arrest and fled Bulloch County.
On February 5, CST Investigators learned that Sparks would be travelling back to Bulloch County late that evening. With the assistance of the Flock license plate reader system, deputies and investigators were able to track and perform a traffic stop on the vehicle that Sparks was travelling in. Sparks attempted to flee the traffic stop on foot, but was apprehended. Sparks was also transported to the Bulloch County Jail where he’s remained since his arrest.
He faces a number of charges related to the sale of methamphetamine, trafficking, theft, having a knife in the commission of the felonies, using a cell phone to facilitate the transactions, and possessing other controlled substances, among other things.
In March 2026, a grand jury indicted Sparks for:
1- Sale of Methamphetamine
2 – Manufacturing Distributing, Dispensing, or Possessing Controlled Substance.Marijuana/Counterfeit Substance Near Park/Housing Project – For distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of real property located at North Boat Landing
3 – Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony Involving Controlled Substances – using a cell phone to facilitate the sale of methamphetamine
4 – Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony (Trafficking of Methamphetamine) – He arranged to sell a quantity of meth, travel to an agreed upon location, and accept partial payment for meth.
5 – Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony Involving Controlled Substances
6 – Possession of Methamphetamine
7 – Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance – Acetaminophen/codeine
8 – Possession of Knife During Commission of/Attempt to Commit Certain Felonies
9 – Driving While License Suspended/Revoked
10 – Driving While License Suspended/Revoked
11 – Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers (misdemeanor) – for fleeing from a BCSO deputy
12 – Possession of Drug Related Object – a glass smoking device
13 – Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (misdemeanor) – a pepper ball gun valued at less than $1,500
He was also indicted on a second case for:
1 – Theft by Taking – Taking an Xmoto dirt bike valued at more than $1,500.
2 – Theft by Receiving Stolen Property – Unlawfully disposing of stolen property, that being the Xmoto dirt bike, which he knew was stolen.
Sentencing
On Wednesday, 20-year-old Best and 38-year-old Sparks appeared separately before Judge Ronald Thompson in Bulloch County Superior Court.
ADA JB Edwards presented a negotiated plea for Best, which included a reduction of his charge from Sale of Methamphetamine to Possession of Methamphetamine. His second charge was dismissed. Best was sentenced to serve three years on probation and complete an Alcohol & Drug evaluation with any recommended treatment from the evaluation. He will also be eligible for a conditional discharge should he successfully complete his probation sentence, which is similar to the First Offender Act in allowing for the expungement of the conviction from his record.
Best was also ordered to obtain his GED.
Sparks was sentenced later Monday, agreeing to a negotiated plea for the Sale of Methamphetamine. He received a ten year sentence, five of which must be served behind bars.
On the second indictment, Sparks pleaded guilty to Theft by Taking and received one year to serve behind bars, concurrent with any other sentences. Sparks received credit for time served dating back to arrest in February.
All remaining charges were nolle prossed.
The state opted not to sentence Sparks under the recidivist statute, which would have enhanced the length of his sentence.
