Federal child pornography trial of Corbin man continued until August

The federal trial of a Corbin man facing rape and child pornography charges involving a 15-year-old girl that had been scheduled to begin June 9 has been continued pending the outcome of a competency hearing.

A motion was filed in U.S. District Court in London last Wednesday on behalf of Amos Sparkman, 30, to continue the trial.

In the order, Sparkman’s attorney, Samuel Castle, explained that he has been attempting to secure medical records related to the competency question, but they have been delayed because of the COVID–19 pandemic.

Prosecutors offered no objection to the continuance.

U.S. District Court Clara Horn Boom issued an order Tuesday rescheduling the trial to begin on August 11.

Sparkman had initially been indicted in November in Whitley County on four counts of third-degree rape, and one count each of prohibited use electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, distributing matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor, and promoting a sexual performance by a minor.

The indictment was the result of an investigation by Corbin Police into a complaint by the juvenile’s mother who reportedly found a cell phone containing messages from Sparkman, and photos of Sparkman and the juvenile engaging in sex.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Sparkman in January, charging him with employ, use, persuasion, inducing, enticing, and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

Whitley County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling said Sparkman is still facing the rape charges in state court and he is seeking a conviction.

Sparkman is scheduled to appear in Whitley Circuit Court on June 9 for a competency hearing.