A 58-year-old Holly man will likely spend the rest of his life in prison on felony drug charges related to the death of a former Ortonville man.
William Lee Sparks was sentenced on Jan. 28 in federal court to 30 months imprisonment, said Acting U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg.
Just over a year ago, on Jan. 31, 2008, Sparks pleaded guilty to distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl patches, percocet, codeine and Xanax. The Army veteran had obtained the drugs from doctors at Veteran’s Administration facilities in Ann Arbor and Flint to treat various medical conditions.
During the Labor Day weekend in 2005, Sparks distributed drugs to Jason Lee Cremer, 25, a Navy sailor on leave from the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.
When Cremer, a former Ortonville resident, returned to his base, he ingested the fentanyl and other substances and died on Sept. 12, 2005.
Cause of death was determined to be fentanyl toxicity.
‘Prescription drug abuse is a serious and growing threat, one which carries dangerous consequences both for users and for society,? said Berg.
‘The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs are to be commended for their determination in getting to the bottom of this case.?