Bio

Jeffery Dana Sparks was born on May 15, 1956, in Yamhill County, Oregon. Little is publicly known about his early life and upbringing. As he grew up, Sparks lived in a relatively small community. 

In adulthood, Sparks faced significant legal issues. By the late 1990s, he was living in Lafayette, Oregon. On April 20, 1998, he became involved in a tragic incident that would change his life forever. At that time, Sparks was a 42-year-old man who lured a 12-year-old girl, Lacey Renee Robancho, to his trailer. The details surrounding his life during these years are not widely publicized, but he faced serious allegations and legal challenges that led to his arrest shortly after Lacey's disappearance.

On April 21, 1998, authorities discovered Lacey Renee Robancho's body near a railroad track. Two days later, Sparks was taken into custody. The investigation revealed disturbing details about his actions leading up to the incident, although these events are not the focus of his early life story.

As legal proceedings unfolded, Sparks was charged with multiple serious offenses. In May 1999, he was sentenced to death for his crimes.

Murder Story

On April 20, 1998, 12-year-old Lacey Renee Robancho left her home in Lafayette, Oregon, riding her bicycle. That evening, she was seen near a convenience store with a man who matched the description of Jeffery Dana Sparks. Sparks lured Lacey to his trailer. The next morning, a railroad worker found her body partially clothed near the railroad tracks.

Law enforcement discovered that Lacey had been strangled, and there were indicators of sexual assault. Two days after her murder, on April 21, 1998, Sparks was arrested. Initially, he claimed that he had invited Lacey into his trailer but later said they went separate ways. However, he later disclosed that he had touched her inappropriately.

Detectives learned about Sparks' actions from various witnesses and physical evidence. At trial, the prosecution presented evidence of his conduct and the circumstances surrounding Lacey's death. Sparks faced multiple charges, including 15 counts of aggravated murder. The jury found him guilty of all charges in late 1998.

During sentencing, it was determined that Sparks had acted deliberately and posed a continuing risk to society. As a result, he was sentenced to death on May 14, 1999. He was placed on death row following his conviction. Sparks has argued against the admission of certain evidence during the trial, but his appeals have been rejected, affirming his conviction and sentence.