Former Olive Hill mayor pleads not guilty to drug charges

GRAYSON, Ky. (AP) - The former mayor of a small eastern Kentucky city has pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

The Independent in Ashland reports Danny Sparks pleaded not guilty Monday in Carter County District Court to charges of marijuana trafficking and having an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle.

Sparks resigned last week as mayor of Olive Hill.

His attorney, Robin Webb, waived formal arraignment during the brief hearing and entered the pleas on her client's behalf. Carter District Judge Rupert Wilhoit said the case would be bound over to a grand jury.

Police say Sparks was arrested Nov. 28 after he allegedly sold marijuana to an undercover informant in a parking lot near Olive Hill Elementary School.

Funeral arrangements set for Estill County teen