Donna Brock

[lonetraveler]

:waitasec: Donna did receive a deal from the state.

snip
Donna Brock, 44, had been charged with one count of trafficking prescription narcotics of at least 28 grams, a offense that carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years, said Chris Kelly, spokesman for the Seventh Circuit State Attorney's Office.

However, Brock pleaded guilty to a count that involved 14 to 28 grams and carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100616/ARTICLES/100619595

Tommy's minimum was not increased, his sentence was within the guidelines of his charge. 3 yrs. min., 30 yrs. max.

I don't think she, nor Tommy nor Hope got a good deal. It is kinda like; do you want to be hanged or do you want the electric chair? Really?

 

[lonetraveler]

It will be very easy to judge if Donna, Hope and Tommy received fair sentencing when we get to see what Ron Cummings gets. We need this info in order to compare what was done with the other defendants.

 

[twall]

I don't think she, nor Tommy nor Hope got a good deal. It is kinda like; do you want to be hanged or do you want the electric chair? Really?

I agree, but the law is the law. The judge didn't make the law, it is his/her job to enforce it. The judge's hands are tied when it comes to the min. man. sentencing.
If the residents of FL don't like it then they should be active and try to change the laws.

 

[twall]

It will be very easy to judge if Donna, Hope and Tommy received fair sentencing when we get to see what Ron Cummings gets. We need this info in order to compare what was done with the other defendants.

Again, I agree and I added on to my earlier post.

I am at the "Don't count your chickens until they're hatched" mindset right now as far as Ron is concerned.

 

[Bathbuddys]

I have never seen people get these kind of sentences and no bail for this type of crime? I am not saying they don't deserve some time as they do, but with no priors, and most of the time there are probation, time and fines that they split in these types of cases? I cannot believe the lawyers are letting them get away with this. hmmm
I guess Satsuma has their own rules?

 

[Dallasdon]

At some point the reality of these sentences is supposed to sink in. For Fiscal Year 2007-08, the most recent available data, it cost $55.09 per day, or $20,108 annually, to house an inmate in Florida. So far, we have three "supporting cast" players who have each received 15 year sentences.

15 x $20,108 = $301,620 per conviction x 3 = $904,860.00 that these 3 [Unusual Person's] crime is costing the taxpayers here in Florida, and we haven't even gotten to the 2 main players yet!

Keep in mind, this is "justice" for being "bit" players in selling $3600 worth of illegal pills!

http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/profiles/1074/

The money that is spent on prisons is budgeted away from teachers, police, etc.

With 3 million prison beds in this country, do the math!

Problem is, everyone in public office has to have a "lock 'em up" attitude or they will suffer politically for being "soft on crime".

 

[dodie20]

I haven't kept up with Donna Brock enough to know what supposed condition caused her to have oxycodone in the first place, but suspect that the trafficking involves the actual getting of the drug in the first place with the intention to turn around and sell it. I don't feel sorry for her, because she wasn't working with LE in a sting and had to know what she was doing. It's not like she gave Misty one pill for a severe pain, and Donna is many years older than the teenager. Misty had to suffer much older adults involved in drugs her whole life according to Flora. Haleigh did too in her short time around these folks, so what right does Donna have to use drugs to "try and get close".

I read the other day, that Nicole Bobeck, the former Olympic ice skater, was sentenced to 5 years probation, for her part in a meth trafficking business. She did have a record & she supposedly played a big role in the business. I don't know why meth is considered a lesser crime, because IMO, it has a dirty, insidious quality, that serves no purpose except to feed the addicts it creates. & the fact that it has to be cooked & manufactured should add some kind of terrorist charge, because these idiot dealers, know those labs can blow up & kill somebody...just like a bomb. Anyway, what Donna Brock did isn't the whole story. Where did the drugs come from? LE said there'd be more arrests, & still nothing. I remember a minor being involved...was she let off because of her age? Her being there would still be a crime. Also, they went up to a house, to get pills, so where are those arrests? & the lady that was with Misty...where is her arrest?

 

[annmarie62]

OK, I know I sound like a completely out-of-the-loop DUMMY in asking this, but here goes: Does "mandatory minimum" mean exactly what it says? Are those 'players' in this case who have already been sentenced to 15 years going to have to serve the entire 15 years, every day of it, with NO type of early-release/parole/time-off-for-good-behavior on the table- ever?? I am not ignorant- I know what "mandatory" means, FGS!!- but I am constantly amazed when (other cases/states) I hear of people sentenced to "life" who only serve, say, seven or ten years... I watched an episode of "The First 48" last night, for example, about a drug-related murder - it was a clear case of 1st-degree murder to me; planned out and extremely cold-blooded- but the perp was allowed to plead guilty to inv. manslaughter and only got sentenced to THREE years!! IMO, our nation's highly subjective sentencing guidelines are completely irrational in many cases- it's absolutely CRAZY!!

 

[krkrjx]

OK, I know I sound like a completely out-of-the-loop DUMMY in asking this, but here goes: Does "mandatory minimum" mean exactly what it says? Are those 'players' in this case who have already been sentenced to 15 years going to have to serve the entire 15 years, every day of it, with NO type of early-release/parole/time-off-for-good-behavior on the table- ever?? I am not ignorant- I know what "mandatory" means, FGS!!- but I am constantly amazed when (other cases/states) I hear of people sentenced to "life" who only serve, say, seven or ten years... I watched an episode of "The First 48" last night, for example, about a drug-related murder - it was a clear case of 1st-degree murder to me; planned out and extremely cold-blooded- but the perp was allowed to plead guilty to inv. manslaughter and only got sentenced to THREE years!! IMO, our nation's highly subjective sentencing guidelines are completely irrational in many cases- it's absolutely CRAZY!!

Yes, the sentencing laws are a mess!

But to answer your question, no, they will not have to serve the entire 15 years if they behave in prison. They can be considered for release after serving 85% of 15 years. After subtracting the 85%, you would subtract any time they have already served if it was counted toward their sentence (Hope, Tommy, and Donna all got credit for time served). The law in Florida says inmates must serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before being released. I read the stats on the DOC website that said the average time served is actually a little over 86%.

I do believe, though, that all will be out sooner. I think there are going to be some changes made to the mandatory minimum sentencing laws and some non-violent offenders will get their sentences commuted. Our players will probably not be first in line for this but I would be willing to bet they will have their sentences reduced at some point, and will be out after serving 85% of that reduced sentence. This part of this post is JMO.

 

[Kimster]

Didn't I read somewhere in this forum that the citizens of Florida voted for these mandatory sentences because of so many issues with drug sales in their state? :waitasec: Seems like I read that in here somewhere.

When I lived in California, we had the 3 strikes rule which is what reminded me of it.

 

[Melanie]

Thanks, MADJGNLAW!!!!

Well, I guess she will be doing 15 years. Looks like no one in that whole group is going to do more than 15 years unless it is Misty.

WOW - isn't this the gal that worked with Tim Miller? I forgot about her.

15 years....that's a lot for a first time non-violent felon.

MOO

Mel

 

[Zoe Bogart]

I have never seen people get these kind of sentences and no bail for this type of crime? I am not saying they don't deserve some time as they do, but with no priors, and most of the time there are probation, time and fines that they split in these types of cases? I cannot believe the lawyers are letting them get away with this. hmmm
I guess Satsuma has their own rules?

It's not a Satsuma law, it's Florida law. There are minimum mandatory sentences which include time in prison plus rather steep fines. The reason Florida passed such laws included the serious drug problem in the state, which not only affects the drug addicts, the users, and their families, but affects the population at large. Drug use isn't the only crime involved, and drug traffickers are the ones who make the drugs easy to get. When the people get addicted, their desperation escalates, they need money to buy more drugs, they steal from loved ones, they rob people and businesses, they kill for drug money. It's a very serious problem. The laws were established to put the traffickers away for a long time.

They probably don't have much leeway to distinguish between "big time dealers" and "petty dealers" the way the law is written. One option is the bargaining chip, make a plea deal for a lesser charge, thus a lesser sentence, which both Donna and Ronald have done. Hope sent herself up the river with her smart mouth and tough gal attitude, and Tommy did the same with his lies.

Didn't I read somewhere in this forum that the citizens of Florida voted for these mandatory sentences because of so many issues with drug sales in their state? :waitasec: Seems like I read that in here somewhere.

Yes, someone voted to have this law. They were desperate.

I heard a radio show about the drug situation in the state a few months ago. They said controlling the drug dealers in Florida is extremely difficult because of the geographic location. It's a prime gateway into the United States, easily accessed by the most unscrupulous.

It is what it is. 'Every offender should be paying the price' is the crux of the law.

 

[Zoe Bogart]

I read the other day, that Nicole Bobeck, the former Olympic ice skater, was sentenced to 5 years probation, for her part in a meth trafficking business. She did have a record & she supposedly played a big role in the business. I don't know why meth is considered a lesser crime, because IMO, it has a dirty, insidious quality, that serves no purpose except to feed the addicts it creates. & the fact that it has to be cooked & manufactured should add some kind of terrorist charge, because these idiot dealers, know those labs can blow up & kill somebody...just like a bomb. Anyway, what Donna Brock did isn't the whole story. Where did the drugs come from? LE said there'd be more arrests, & still nothing. I remember a minor being involved...was she let off because of her age? Her being there would still be a crime. Also, they went up to a house, to get pills, so where are those arrests? & the lady that was with Misty...where is her arrest?

Her crime was committed in New Jersey, not Florida, so the laws are different. Her earlier crime, first degree home invasion at age 17, took place in Michigan. Different states, different laws.

 

[krkrjx]

I don't have a problem with the laws, per se. I have always believed that if you do the crime, you should do the time.

What gets me is that in CA, Garrido got a 55-year sentence and was out in 11 years. He then kidnapped Jaycee.

But I will try to speak only to Florida: In Putnam County, there is an accused sex offender who has for several years now been roaming around, yet to be brought to trial. Now, if this guy ever goes to trial and is convicted...will he get 15 years? Too often, sex offenders come away with a short time locked up, then out on probation. Yes, they have to register but some don't and no one really goes looking for them.

I hate to go OT here in the threads and I know I do it too often, but Haleigh's disappearance has morphed into something that even the best fiction writers could not make up! So many players and so much drama...and now the mandatory minimum sentencing for DRUG offenses has become part of the Haleigh case, because our players are facing those sentences.

I want the violent people locked away on a mandatory minimum basis, with no way out before they serve their time, or a good chunk of it. I think the citizens of Florida had the right idea when they voted in the sentencing laws but this high profile case is now allowing them to see how lopsided sentencing is when non-violent drug offenders go away for far longer than child abusers and pedophiles, or even murderers.

All JMO.

 

[dodie20]

Her crime was committed in New Jersey, not Florida, so the laws are different. Her earlier crime, first degree home invasion at age 17, took place in Michigan. Different states, different laws.

I also read in a report that she had some kind of prior gun charge, but don't know what state.

 

[dodie20]

I don't have a problem with the laws, per se. I have always believed that if you do the crime, you should do the time.

What gets me is that in CA, Garrido got a 55-year sentence and was out in 11 years. He then kidnapped Jaycee.

But I will try to speak only to Florida: In Putnam County, there is an accused sex offender who has for several years now been roaming around, yet to be brought to trial. Now, if this guy ever goes to trial and is convicted...will he get 15 years? Too often, sex offenders come away with a short time locked up, then out on probation. Yes, they have to register but some don't and no one really goes looking for them.

I hate to go OT here in the threads and I know I do it too often, but Haleigh's disappearance has morphed into something that even the best fiction writers could not make up! So many players and so much drama...and now the mandatory minimum sentencing for DRUG offenses has become part of the Haleigh case, because our players are facing those sentences.

I want the violent people locked away on a mandatory minimum basis, with no way out before they serve their time, or a good chunk of it. I think the citizens of Florida had the right idea when they voted in the sentencing laws but this high profile case is now allowing them to see how lopsided sentencing is when non-violent drug offenders go away for far longer than child abusers and pedophiles, or even murderers.

All JMO.

I agree with you, & wonder when drug use, drug sale, became more important than molested children. It seems like politicians use the 'war on drugs', to win favor, & more serious criminals get ignored. I'd much rather have somebody like Donna Brock or even Hope Sykes living next door, than a registered sex offender. I can't say that about Tommy, because his stories scare me...but you get my point. Dangerous criminals are let out to be predators on society, & druggies are locked up & then the key is thrown away. & to be honest, if I had to choose? I'd much rather my 8 year old daughter take her chances with a dealer who was trying to sell her some dope, than I would a pedophile, trying to lure her, kidnap her, & then rape her , & then kill her. If there's only enough room in the pen for 1 set of them, I pick the pedophiles.

 

[krkrjx]

I agree with you, & wonder when drug use, drug sale, became more important than molested children. It seems like politicians use the 'war on drugs', to win favor, & more serious criminals get ignored. I'd much rather have somebody like Donna Brock or even Hope Sykes living next door, than a registered sex offender. I can't say that about Tommy, because his stories scare me...but you get my point. Dangerous criminals are let out to be predators on society, & druggies are locked up & then the key is thrown away. & to be honest, if I had to choose? I'd much rather my 8 year old daughter take her chances with a dealer who was trying to sell her some dope, than I would a pedophile, trying to lure her, kidnap her, & then rape her , & then kill her. If there's only enough room in the pen for 1 set of them, I pick the pedophiles.

Exactly!

Obviously there is no way to have mandatory minimums for all felonies; there are not enough prisons for that. But, IMO, the violent in our society are the ones that need to be locked away. Prison is not just for punitive purposes; it also keeps citizens safe.

I don't feel sorry for our players, though. They knew, or should have known, the consequences for their actions. But the reality is, Donna Brock could serve more time than the average pedophile, and I can't help but shake my head at that!

 

[twall]

Didn't I read somewhere in this forum that the citizens of Florida voted for these mandatory sentences because of so many issues with drug sales in their state? :waitasec: Seems like I read that in here somewhere.

When I lived in California, we had the 3 strikes rule which is what reminded me of it.

I don't know who did the voting or got the laws passed but the mandatory sentences were put in place to help control the pain management clinics that are rampant in FL. They didn't help much, imo.
Next month the new law takes effect in FL where the "pill mills" will be regulated as they are in other states. This is what should have been done in the first place, not the mandatory sentences, imo.
FL also has the 3 strikes law for violent offenders I do believe. I'm not sure about drugs without looking it up.

 

[dodie20]

Yes, the sentencing laws are a mess!

But to answer your question, no, they will not have to serve the entire 15 years if they behave in prison. They can be considered for release after serving 85% of 15 years. After subtracting the 85%, you would subtract any time they have already served if it was counted toward their sentence (Hope, Tommy, and Donna all got credit for time served). The law in Florida says inmates must serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before being released. I read the stats on the DOC website that said the average time served is actually a little over 86%.

I do believe, though, that all will be out sooner. I think there are going to be some changes made to the mandatory minimum sentencing laws and some non-violent offenders will get their sentences commuted. Our players will probably not be first in line for this but I would be willing to bet they will have their sentences reduced at some point, and will be out after serving 85% of that reduced sentence. This part of this post is JMO.

I do hope you're right about the laws changing, because these mandatory minimums for drugs, depress me. I worry about people who like Hope Sykes & Donna Brock, (who by all accounts, don't have a thing to do with the Haleigh case), are just locked up & forgotten. Hope's gonna lose her youth, & Donna's gonna be an old woman when she gets out. I hope, but won't hold my breath, that these 2 find something worthwhile to do, while locked up.

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

Woman in HaLeigh case gets 15 years
Brock befriended Croslin to learn about child's disappearance
Posted: September 2, 2010 - 12:00am
By Dana Treen

A woman arrested with one of the key players in the case of missing HaLeigh Cummings was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday in St. Johns County on one count of trafficking in prescription drugs.

Donna M. Brock, 44, pleaded guilty after selling oxycodone pills to an undercover officer in January at a truck stop off Interstate 95. She was with Misty Croslin, who reported 5-year-old HaLeigh missing in February 2009.

Croslin has pleaded no contest to the same charge and seven other similar counts.

Judge Wendy Berger also fined Brock $100,000. At the hour-long hearing, Brock told the judge how she had searched for other missing children and said she was trying to gain Croslin's trust to learn about HaLeigh's disappearance.

She admitted she gave the drugs to Croslin initially after the 18-year-old had some teeth pulled, but then took part in their illegal sale.

"I ended up giving her my prescription and that was the prescription she sold," she said.

The judge said Brock had opportunities not to sell the pills but didn't.

"You made a choice, and it was a bad choice," Berger said. She said under state guidelines she could not sentence Brock to less that 15 years despite Brock's lack of a criminal record, years of volunteer work and testimony of two people who appealed for leniency.

more
http://staugustine.com/news/local-ne...-gets-15-years