A Taylorville man is behind bars after a manhunt Monday evening.  On Monday evening at 6:35PM, the Taylorville Police responded to an aggravated battery complaint in the 700 block of East Poplar.  The victim, who had been hit multiple times, identified 30 year old Joseph R. Sparling of Taylorville as the assailant.  The victim alleged that Sparling was in possession of a firearm, and had used it to “pistol whip” the victim.  Sparling fled the scene after the attack.  The search for Sparling was conducted by the Illinois State Police, Christian County Deputies, Edinburg Police, Mount Auburn Police and the Taylorville Police Department.  At 8:38 PM Sparling was taken into custody following a search of a residence in the 300 block of North Paw Paw Street.  Sparling did not have a firearm on him when he was arrested.  Sparling was arrested for aggravated battery, resisting arrest, possession of a look alike substance, possession of controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Sparling was transported to the Christian County Correctional Center.  Sparling has his first appearance in court Tuesday at 11.