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Posted: Tuesday, 17 August 2010 12:12PM
Croslin Pleads No Contest in St Johns, Says She Heard Haleigh Cummings Attack


TJ Hart

http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7930698.php

"Snip"
This is the media release from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office:

Date: August 17, 2010

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous requests for an official comment regarding a statement made earlier today by Attorney Robert Fields. For those outlets not aware, Attorney Fields is legal counsel for Misty Croslin.

Attorney Fields made a statement to media outlets that after Misty Croslin’s arrest, she informed investigators what happened the night Haleigh Cummings went missing, and what happened to Haleigh Cummings.

Since the onset of this investigation, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to comment on information obtained during the investigation. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has always taken the firm stance that any information obtained in this case is not to be released, and any investigative strategies will not be discussed. The Haleigh Cummings investigation is far too important to be jeopardized by releasing this type of sensitive information.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office will not be participating in any formal interviews or providing statements regarding this morning’s events at this time. The main concern of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is finding Haleigh Cummings and returning her home to her family.

Lieutenant Johnny Greenwood
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office

 

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"snip" Dr. Know?
Haleigh's mom speaks out for the first time in months

Last Update: 8/17/2010
"Snip" http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...the-first-time-in/OZUc108FGUKCBbSz0mTDGg.cspx

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Making a plea for her daughter, Haleigh Cumming
Crystal Sheffield , walked out of the courtroom in tears. "Somebody else knows and God will get you. Just please come forward," she says.

She shed tear of sorrow and anger. "Nobody knows the pain I go through. Nobody. And they never will. I don't care who they are.

Sheffield believes Haleigh is still alive and someone knows where she is.


"I think she should rot in jail. Every one of them should rot in jail," says Sheffield.
"Today is her birthday and I wanted to say happy birthday. I love you Haleigh. I love you," she cried.

 

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Croslin faces 25 years after trafficking plea
Posted: August 18, 2010
"Snip" http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-08-18/croslin-faces-25-years-after-trafficking-plea

By RICHARD PRIOR
A soft-spoken Misty Janette Croslin could barely be heard Tuesday as she pleaded to a drug trafficking charge that guarantees she will spend at least the next 25 years of her life in prison.

Croslin, was charged with trafficking between 28 grams and 30 kilograms of Oxycodone after selling 155 Endocet tablets to an undercover officer on Jan. 8.

The tablets, totaled 70.7 grams, sold for $800, Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis said Tuesday during Croslin's court appearance before St. Johns Circuit Judge Wendy W. Berger.



Croslin will return to St. Johns County for formal sentencing on Oct. 8.

She pleaded no contest Monday in Putnam County to seven prescription drug trafficking charges.

She faces 25 years in prison for those offenses, too.


Law enforcement officers deny that the trafficking arrests were designed -- or have been used -- as a way to put pressure on the defendants to talk about the little girl's disappearance.



The others arrested for drug trafficking were Ronald Cummings; Croslin's brother, Hank Thomas "Tommy" Croslin Jr.; Cummings' cousin, Hope A. Sykes; and Croslin's friend, Donna Michelle Brock.

Sykes was sentenced April 26 to 15 years in prison.

Tommy Croslin pleaded no contest to trafficking and drug possession on June 3. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Aug. 6.

Brock is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1.

 

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Croslin blames cousin for HaLeigh's disappearance
Posted: August 18, 2010
"Snip" http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-08-18/croslin-blames-cousin-haleighs-disappearance
By Dana Treen
ST. AUGUSTINE -- Misty Croslin cowered beneath a sheet and heard the screams of HaLeigh Cummings being attacked the night she disappeared, Croslin's attorney said Tuesday.

Croslin has told investigators she was at the mobile home and heard the attack then heard a van door outside open and close, Robert Fields said .

The five- to six-minute attack happened after Croslin's cousin, Joe Overstreet, came to the mobile home looking for a machine gun belonging to Ronald Cummings.

The gun wasn't there, Fields said

"HaLeigh was a substitute," he said.

He said Croslin hid beneath the sheet holding 3-year-old Ronald Cummings Jr.

At one point, Croslin saw Overstreet either covering HaLeigh with something or putting her in a black bag, Fields said.

Fields said Croslin, who is likely facing 25 years in prison on unrelated drug trafficking charges, has told investigators the story.

Tuesday morning, she pleaded no contest to a charge of trafficking in oxycodone at a St. Johns County . Judge Berger set an Oct. 8 sentencing date. Monday, Croslin pleaded no contest to several similar charges in Putnam County.

 

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Haleigh's Grandma: Misty Is Lying
Shadow Of Doubt Has Been Cast Over Misty Cummings Since Girl Disappeared

http://www.news4jax.com/news/24674646/detail.html

<snipped>

"I still believe she's alive," Neves said of Haleigh. "I don't believe anything Misty says until somebody can prove it. The thing doesn't even make sense. How can you be under the covers and also see her in the bag? None of it makes sense.

"She's told so many stories, and to just pick and choose which one you want to believe, I don't believe it's right," Neves said. "Whatever it is, it needs to be proven."

Neves said if this version of Misty's story is true, "they should hang her in a public square, like an old-fashioned hanging kind of thing."

 

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New details about what Misty was doing when Haleigh vanished in February 2009.
Beau Zimmer 8/18/2010
"Snip" http://www.wtsp.com/news/mostpop/story.aspx?storyid=141696&provider=top

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Robert Fields, Croslin's attorney, revealed the details.

Misty Croslin said that Joe Overstreet was involved in Haleigh's disappearance.

Misty, Joe Overstreet, and Tommy Croslin, were at the mobile home. Overstreet was looking for Ronalds machine gun and when he couldn't find the gun, he took out his frustrations out on Misty Croslin, pushing, shoving and sexual groping her.

Joe Overstreet then headed for Haleigh. Misty and Ronald Jr. hid under some covers. They were able to hear Haleigh screaming, struggling and crying.

Haleigh became quiet and Misty saw Joe put her in a black cloth bag.

Misty heard the house door open and close several times, then the sliding door on a van opened and closed.

Misty remained under the covers for quite a while after that, scared.

Misty said, Tommy did nothing to Haleigh.


Putnam County Sheriff's Office said their main concern remains locating Haleigh Cummings, and offered no further comment related to Fields' story Misty Croslin gave him.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Report: Misty Croslin is lying about abduction, grandma says
Orlando Sentinel August 18, 2010
"Snip" http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...slin-haleigh-grandma-20100818,0,7785996.story

Haleigh Cummings' grandmother Teresa Neves says she doesn't believe what Misty has told investigators.

Teresa Neves, said Croslin's allegation that her cousin Joe , put Haleigh screaming in a bag and took her away, sounds like a lie.


"How could a 5-year-old scream like that and neighbors not hear? It just doesn't add up," Neves said today.


To read the full story on news4jax.com, click here. http://www.news4jax.com/news/24674646/detail.html

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh's GrandmaTeresa Neves Speaks out: Misty Is Lying
Shadow Of Doubt Has Been Cast Over Misty Cummings Since Haleigh Disappeared

POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Less than 24 hours after learning Misty Cummings claimed to know what happened to Haleigh Cummings, Haleigh's grandmother, Teresa Neves has spoken out.


Uncut Video: Haleigh's Grandma Doesn't Believe Misty http://www.news4jax.com/video/24674878/index.html


"Why would you hide with a little 5-year-old screaming like that?" Neves said. "How can the neighbors not hear her? Things just don't add up."

Neves said she thinks Misty is lying.

"I still believe she's alive," Neves said of Haleigh. "I don't believe anything Misty says until somebody can prove it. The thing doesn't even make sense. How can you be under the covers and also see her in the bag? None of it makes sense.

"She's told so many stories,"Whatever it is, it needs to be proven."

 

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Tommy Croslin's Attorney Says Croslin Jr. said Haleigh Likely Strangled by Joe

"Snip" http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=163701&catid=3

Updated: 8/19/2010 3:20:04 PM

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Tommy Croslin, told investigators in April he thinks Haleigh was strangled by his cousin Joe, his attorney James Werter said today.


Croslin Jr., who said he was with Overstreet at the time, went on to say Overstreet was looking for Ronald Cummings gun, lost his temper and went after Haleigh when Joe could not find the gun in Feb 2009.

This is what led to a re-intensified search in the water near their Satsuma home.

That story meshes with what Misty told authorities as well.

The information about Tommy came after Werter spoke about Tommy's reaction to his prison sentence.

Werter plans to appeal the sentence.

Werter said, Tommy and his sister have had no contact since their arrest in January and the fact that both of them tell the same story means it is true.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Chilling details in case of Haleigh Cummings
Hank Croslin Jr. tells attorney he saw Joe Overstreet and that missing Haleigh Cummings was likely dead before the disappearance was reported.
Posted: August 19, 2010 - 11:43pm
By Dana Treen
"Snip" http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/...ng-details-case-missing-girl-haleigh-cummings
Chilling new details about the fate of Haleigh Cummings emerged from the attorney of Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr., proposing that the 5-year-old was dead hours before her disappearance was reported.

Croslin Jr., was with his cousin Joe Overstreet when the two went to a Putnam County boat ramp with the girl where she was dumped into the St. Johns River inside a bag.

"Hank Jr. saw Joe take Haleigh down to the dock, when he came back, he didn't have Haleigh."



Werter said he would not say where Croslin was during the attack but said the two men drove to the dock with the kindergartner in a bag.

"According to Tommy, she was limp, quiet. "She may have already been dead when she left the trailer."



Fields, said Misty hid beneath the covers with 3-year-old Jr. when the attack happened. He said she remembers hearing a van door slide open and close and saw a black bag or something similar placed over the girl.

Werter said he has been angry with detectives who want cooperation from his client but have been threatening to charge him with felony murder.

Chief Rick Ryan of the PCSO said investigators were not commenting on the case.

Werter said he has filed a motion to modify Hank Croslin Jr.'s sentence.

He said the Sheriff's Office should act on what his client and his sister have said.

Overstreet drove to Croslin Jr.'s house in a van borrowed from another Croslin brother and went to the mh where Misty was with the children.

They went there around midnight, Werter said. Ronald Cummings, was at work and the two were looking for a World War II-era machine gun to hunt deer.

Fields said this week that the gun had been taken somewhere else.

Werter said Croslin Jr. never told Misty where Haleigh was taken but took investigators to a boat ramp just north of Welaka on April 13. Divers spent days searching the water.

Overstreet's attorney, Shawn Sirgo, said that Overstreet was with another relative when he learned Haleigh was missing.

 

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Attorney: Croslin's Cousin Killed Haleigh
Hank Croslin, Misty Cummings' Attorneys' Accounts Coincide
"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24690929/detail.html

POSTED: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Video: Hank Croslin's Attorney Talks http://www.news4jax.com/video/24693288/index.html

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- James Werter said Thursday that his client told him Joe Overstreet, killed Haleigh Cummings in a mobile home February 9, 2009 because he couldn't find the machine gun he came looking for.

"He took the body down to the dock and then he came back without the body, Joe Overstreet put Haleigh in the (St. Johns) (R)iver."


Werter said Croslin Jr. rode in a van to a dock with Overstreet as Haleigh's lifeless body lay in the back seat, she was quiet, limp and not moving, like she was sleeping".

Overstreet threatened to kill Hank Jr. Croslin.

"(Croslin) stayed in the vehicle in the passenger seat. He didn't drive. He didn't help in any sort of fashion "Joe was ordering him around, 'Come on. Let's go. Come on. Do this.'"

Werter said Putnam County investigators threatened Croslin with accessory to murder charges, which is why Werter will no longer allow Croslin to talk to tell his account. Werter said he wants immunity for his client.

"My advice to him is that he does not talk because they keep threatening him with felony murder charges. That would make him, technically speaking, an accessory after the fact. I can't let him talk with even that stupid little threat."

 

[MADJGNLAW]

What Will It Take For Changes In Haleigh Case

Video Report 8/20/1010: http://www.news4jax.com/video/24695297/index.html

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Ron Cummings May Take Plea Deal in Court Today
"snip" http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=163798&catid=3

Updated: 8/20/2010 9:28:59 AM
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Ron Cummings is in court today for an expected plea deal on drug charges.
His hearing is expected to begin at 11 a.m. in the Putnam County Courthouse. Cummings may enter a plea.

 

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Haleigh Cummings Reportedly Dumped In Lake

Posted: 10:14 am EDT August 20, 2010
"Snip" http://www.wftv.com/news/24699888/detail.html

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An attorney says his client saw 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings taken from her home in a bag.


Overstreet's attorney has said he had nothing to do with Haleigh's disappearance in February 2009.

 

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Haleigh's Dad May Plead To Drug Charges
Girl Still Missing As 3rd Person Connected To Her Pleads To Unrelated Charges
UPDATED: 10:55 am EDT August 20, 2010
"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24700021/detail.html
Video Report: Ronald Cummings To Plead? http://www.news4jax.com/video/24698963/index.html


PALATKA, Fla. -- The father of missing girl Haleigh Cummings is expected Friday to plead guilty to three of five drug trafficking charges against him, Channel 4 has learned.

Cummings is scheduled to appear at a hearing at 11 a.m.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh's Dad Pleads To Drug Charges
Girl Still Missing As 3rd Person Connected To Her Pleads To Unrelated Charges

POSTED: Friday, August 20, 2010
UPDATED: 11:58 am EDT August 20, 2010
"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24700021/detail.html

PALATKA, Fla. -- Ronald Cummings pleads guilty to three of five drug trafficking charges against him and agreed to testify in any future trial involving the disappearance of his daughter, Haleigh Cummings.

Video: Ronald Cummings To Plead http://www.news4jax.com/video/24698963/index.html

All three are central figures in the disappearance of Ronald Cummings' 5-year-old daughter in February 2009.
Putnam County sheriff said Haleigh Cummings is likely dead.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh's Dad Pleads To Drug Charges He will be sentenced Sept. 24.
Cummings Faces Up To 90 Years In Prison

UPDATED: 12:59 pm EDT August 20, 2010
"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24700021/detail.html

Cummings pleaded guilty Friday morning to three of five drug trafficking charges against him in exchange for him agreeing to testify in any future criminal trial involving the disappearance of his daughter.
Video: Ronald Cummings To Plead http://www.news4jax.com/video/24698963/index.html

Hank Croslin's Attorney Talks: Two days after Misty Cummings' lawyer dropped a bombshell We're hearing another from the lawyer for Misty's brother. http://www.news4jax.com/video/24698963/index.html

Ronald Cummings could face a maximum of 90 years in prison. He will be sentenced Sept. 24.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh Cummings' Dad Pleads Guilty In Drug Case
Sentencing To Occur September 24
POSTED: 1:15 pm EDT August 20, 2010
"snip" http://www.wesh.com/r/24702193/detail.html
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ronald Cummings pleaded guilty Friday to three of five charges against him and agreed to testify for the state in future cases involving the drug cases or his missing daughter, Haleigh.

 

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Ronald Cummings Pleads Guilty to Three of 5 Drug Charges in Plea Deal
Crystal Sheffield, the mother of Haleigh was in the courtroom, joined by several family members.


TJ Hart Posted: Friday, 20 August 2010
"Snip" http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7956251.php


Ronald Cummings withdrew his not guilty plea in the drug trafficking cases against him.
Prosecutors agreed to drop two of the five cases against Cummings, and he entered a guilty plea in the other three.

One case carries a minimum sentence of 3 years with a 10-year max in prison, .

Two have minimums of 10 years each with maximums of 30.

Ronald Cummings is slated to be sentenced Sept. 24.


A blogger claims Sheffield and her mother were seen outside the courthouse this morning pointing at Lisa Croslin who was standing near a bus stop at that time.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh's Dad Pleads To Drug Charges
Father Of Missing Girl Faces Up To 90 Years In Prison


UPDATED: 4:21 pm EDT August 20, 2010 http://www.news4jax.com/news/24700021/detail.html
Video Report/CS speaks out: Cummings Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges http://www.news4jax.com/video/24702620/index.html

PALATKA, Fla. -- Ronald Cummings pleaded guilty to 3 of 5 drug trafficking charges in exchange for him agreeing to testify in any future criminal trial involving the disappearance of his daughter Haleigh Cummings.


Schumaker, said that that Ronald isn't buying Misty or Tommy's account of Haleigh's disappearance.

Terry Schumaker said, that if Haleigh's body is never found and police are able to make an arrest, testimony may be basis of a criminal prosecution.

He said Ronalds' relationships with each party is important in developing a timeline leading up to Haleigh's disappearance, they could ask him to come back and testify on the state's behalf.


Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, attended Friday's hearing, said she is holding out hope her daughter Haleigh is alive.


"I don't care if they're in prison or not, but the truth needs to come out to bring my baby home."