The criminal charges against former Lincoln County Chief Deputy Sherrif Dean Sparks have been dropped. Sparks was arrested and charged with violating a protection order against his ex-girlfriend in May. The ex-girlfriend filed a motion to vacate the charges, which was granted in Lincoln County Court. Lincoln County Sherrif Jerome Kramer said that the case will not be investigated further. While Sparks is eligible to return to law enforcement, he will not be returning to the Lincoln County Sherrif’s department.