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Cummings, Croslin jailed
HaLeigh's dad, former stepmom among 5 busted in prescription drug sting
Posted: January 22, 2010 - 12:07am
<snipped>
The Croslins and Brock were being held at the St. Johns County jail, while Sykes was being held in Putnam County.

Cummings was at the Flagler County jail because police wanted to keep him and his ex-wife separated.

While there were seven transactions, Croslin was charged in six. However, Greenwood said it was likely she would be charged in the seventh as well.


Misty Croslin told County Judge Charles J. Tinlin at her first appearance in court Thursday that she had an attorney, Robert Fields, and had been in touch with him Wednesday.

He had represented her in the past, he said, and might be her attorney again.

"For right now, I am (representing Croslin), but I haven't formally filed a notice of appearance yet," Fields said Thursday afternoon.


Fields said he would try to visit Croslin at the jail either today or over the weekend.

St. Augustine attorney Terry Shoemaker worked with Ronald Cummings as the search for HaLeigh developed but knew very little Thursday about the latest charges.

"I'm not sure if we represent him on this or not," said Shoemaker. "I have to make an appointment to see him, and that won't be before (today)."

Shoemaker and partner Dan Mowrey were set to visit Cummings when they got a call from the jail Thursday.

They were told all the times had been booked up in the jail's only two conference rooms, so they scheduled time for today.


Article:
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-01-22/cummings-croslin-jailed
 
UPDATED: Haleigh Cummings' father, former stepmom in trouble again
Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin accused of trafficking in prescription medications
Story updated at 1:05 AM on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
<snipped>
&#8220;They&#8217;re gone for years,&#8221; said Lindsy Croslin, of possible sentences faced by her 18-year-old sister-in-law and others charged in the case. That includes her husband Hank Croslin Jr., Cummings&#8217; cousin Hope A. Sykes and Misty Croslin&#8217;s friend Donna M. Brock.

&#8220;She&#8217;s going to lose her whole life over this,&#8221; Lindsy Croslin said of Misty.


For almost a year, detectives have said she is the key to the case as her stories have been inconsistent. Greenwood said detectives in Haleigh&#8217;s case will be asking her and the others arrested what they know.

&#8220;It&#8217;s really too early in the case to know if it is the break,&#8221; Greenwood said. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to be honest, we hope [it is].&#8221;

Palatka attorney Robert Fields, who has represented Misty Croslin during the investigation, said he was able to speak with her briefly Wednesday night.

&#8220;It&#8217;s still evolving,&#8221; he said. Fields said whether the drug case has any relation to the Haleigh investigation is up for speculation.

At the Croslins&#8217; mobile home, family members said there a stronger relationship was evolving between the divorced couple.

Lisa Croslin, Misty&#8217;s mother, said Cummings last week paid for a tattoo inked on her daughter&#8217;s lower back.

&#8220;It&#8217;s like a tribal thing with his name on top of it,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Ronald Cummings Sr. is what it says.&#8221;


&#8220;She would spend the night over there and everything,&#8221; she said.

Hank Croslin Sr. said &#8220;They need to investigate that family like they have ours,&#8221; he said. He said he believes his daughter has increased as a target since turning 18 in December.

Brock once was a member of EquuSearch, a Texas-based volunteer group that does horseback and other searches for missing people. Miller said he sent Brock a certified letter about three months ago telling her she was being dropped from the organization.

Crystal Sheffield, the mother of Haleigh and Ronald Jr. could not be reached Thursday. Sheffield has been estranged from Cummings for several years.

*Much more info at link!

The Twitter account of Crystal Sheffield, Haleigh's mother.
http://www.twitter.com/crystal0430

Twitter account of Haleigh's grandmother and mother of Crystal Sheffield is oriented toward Scripture quotations.
http://www.twitter.com/marie1207

Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/...mmings_father_former_stepmom_in_trouble_again
 
Misty, Ronald may face long prison sentences
Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 2:19 AM EST
<snipped>
Officials reaffirmed Thursday the arrests of the father and former stepmother of Haleigh Cummings are not connected to the 5-year-old's disappearance.

"This is just phase one of the culmination of (Wednesday) night," Dominick Pape, special agent in charge of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Jacksonville, said Thursday. "There will be a lot more investigation now and we will be analyzing all of the evidence that was seized upon arrest of all the subjects."

"The prosecutors will review the charging documents and the evidence and make a determination once they have an opportunity to review everything," Kelly said.

Croslin could face up to 74 years behind bars and Cummings could face up to 43 years.

At the first appearance, all bonds were kept the same as set in the arrest warrants, Kelly said.

Bonds were: Croslin, $950,000; Cummings, $500,000; Croslin Jr., $100,000; Sykes, $150,000; and Brock, $250,000.

"This case is ongoing with the potential for more arrests," Pape said.

Pape said the investigation will continue through "phase two," which involves learning where the five allegedly purchased the pills and their methods of obtaining them.

Investigators are also trying to learn how long they may have trafficked the pills, he said.

*Much more at link!

Article:
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2010/01/22/news/news01.txt
 
Mom Gets Custody Of Haleigh's Brother
POSTED: Friday, January 22, 2010
UPDATED: 3:20 pm EST January 22, 2010
<snipped>
An emergency hearing was held in Palatka on Thursday over who should get custody of Ronald Cummings Jr. after his father was arrested on drug charges.

Crystal Sheffield, whose daughter Haleigh Cummings has been missing since February, was awarded custody of her son.

Sheffield was to pick up her son Friday afternoon.


Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/22315918/detail.html
 
UPDATED: Family, police hope arrests lead to discovery of Haleigh Cummings
Haleigh's dad and his ex-wife were arrested on drug charges.
Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:25 a.m.
<snipped>
"We certainly hope that something good is going to come out of all of this bad. I'm thinking that with the time (in prison) that Misty is looking at, she is going to talk now. That's what we're hoping and praying for," said Teresa Neves, Cummings' mother. "We'd like to have Haleigh home."

Most were moved to jails outside of Putnam County for security reasons, Greenwood said. Cummings and Misty Croslin were placed in separate jails to avoid the possibility of communication between them.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Dominick Pape said that potential maximum sentences if convicted are: Misty Croslin, 74 years; Cummings, 43 years; Brock, 25 years; Sykes, 15 years; and Hank Croslin, three years.


A representative of a law firm that has represented Cummings in the past said the firm has not spoken to Cummings or to law enforcement since the arrest.

Greenwood said investigators will continue to pursue Haleigh's disappearance and will use the arrests as an opportunity to try to get more information.

"These are two investigations that are parallel," he said. "I hope something comes of it and we can gather enough information to bring it to a conclusion."

Authorities in September received a letter saying Haleigh died from an oxycodone overdose at a party. The letter at the time was called a "farce."


Article:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/...arrests-lead-to-discovery-of-Haleigh-Cummings
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Video: Haleigh's dad, sitter arrested 2:21
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2010/01/22/ng.haleigh.arrested.cnn
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Video: Father Of Missing FL. Girl Faces Drug Charges 0:42
http://video.ap.org/?f=FLGAI&pid=R96sQE7yu4AEfKcckqigvKz_e8JypYfa
 
Exclusive: P.I. Claims Group Will Post Bond for Misty and Tommy Croslin


"Snip" TJ Hart Posted: Friday, 22 January 2010 8:57AM


The arrests of Ronald Cummings, Misty Croslin, Tommy Croslin, Hope Sykes and Donna Brock took place Wednesday evening and stemmed from a tip from a source with knowledge of the alleged dealing of oxycodone and hydrocodone, according to PCO.




Private investigator William "Cobra" Staubs called 97.3 The SKY Friday morning to announce that he is acting as a media representative for a group who is seeking to post bail for Misty Croslin and Tommy Croslin. Staubs called the SKY Newsroom midday Friday to make that clarication and that he does not personally want to see the two out of jail.

Listen to audio at Link: http://www.thesky973.com/pages/6180833.php
 
AUDIO: William "Cobra" Staubs
http://hosted-media.podzinger.com/w...10-01-22_Cobra_talks_bail_for_Misty_Tommy.mp3
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Defense Lawyer to Misty Cummings: &#8220;Shut Up!&#8221;
Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 5:00 am
<snipped>
Hinting at a possible defense strategy, Fields scoffed at law enforcement&#8217;s claim the drug case against Misty was developed without any consideration of her role as what amounts to a person of interest in the Haleigh Cummings case, and apart from any ties she has to the other drug defendants. Misty&#8217;s lawyer said his client was targeted for drugs as a way to pressure her for information in the missing child case, and that police denials were like arguing there&#8217;s &#8220;no pink elephant in the living room, when you&#8217;re looking at the elephant.&#8221;

Donna Jaquith, who owns a Palatka, Fla. Bonding company and has bailed out Ronald Cummings and members of Misty&#8217;s family before, tells me she got a call from Misty sister in law Lindsay Croslin Wednesday night, asking how much it would take to spring husband, Tommy. He&#8217;s charged with one count of drug trafficking and faces a $100,000 bond.

Ordinarily Jaquith, tells The Bald Truth, the fee would be $10,000, but she told Croslin she&#8217;d accept half and finance the balance if she could come up with $5,000 cash. She hasn&#8217;t heard back, but wants to cut them a break. &#8220;The Cummings and Croslins have been very good clients,&#8221; she told me, &#8220;very good for business. Of course, I hate to see anyone get arrested.&#8221;

Even Jaquith says she&#8217;s experienced pressure from law enforcement to back off, and let them the Cummings or Croslin clan stay in jail if they get popped. &#8220;One detective stopped in to say, &#8216;You&#8217;re not bailing them out again, are you?&#8217;&#8221; Donna had to remind the officer that was her business.

Also behind bars in St. John&#8217;s County: Misty confidante Donna Brock, facing a $250,000 bond for one count of trafficking. She told a circuit judge at her first appearance hearing Wednesday that she didn&#8217;t have an attorney, and was assigned a public defender.

According to Lt. Greenwood, it&#8217;s standard strategy for police to separate suspects in a major drug case with multiple defendants, so they &#8220;don&#8217;t have a chance to get their stories straight.&#8221;

*Much more at link!

Tampa Nebbia Bond Hearing Attorney
http://www.criminaldefenseattorneyt...gencyBondHearings/NebbiaBailBondHearings.aspx

Article:
http://www.artharris.com/2010/01/22/defense-lawyer-to-misty-cummings-shut-up/
 
Paid informant in Haleigh Cummings case arrested in drug bust with Misty Croslin
12:28 a.m. EST, January 23, 2010
<snipped>
Donna Brock was a volunteer member of Texas EquuSearch and part of initial searches for Haleigh. Eventually she befriended Croslin.

The search group paid Brock about $3,000 to entertain Croslin and get her to open up, Miller said this week.

Paying someone to be an informant is not illegal. It is not clear whether Putnam County investigators were aware of Brock's role with the search group.

Brock's life took a sharp turn Wednesday when she was arrested on a prescription-drug-trafficking charge along with Croslin.

Croslin's relationship with Brock, who has a residence in Orlando and one in North Carolina, could be an important link for investigators, or her value in finding the child may be worthless.

"It started out she was trying to get information," Miller said.

Miller paid Brock several thousand dollars during a few months to take Croslin places and to entertain her with the hope the young woman would provide a better explanation of what happened the night Haleigh went missing, he said.

On Oct. 30, Miller sent Brock a letter terminating her membership with Texas EquuSearch. He said he became concerned that her membership in the search organization would undermine its credibility.

"The shame of it is all this stuff has taken the focus off of Haleigh," said Miller.


Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...-croslin-donna-brock-20100122,0,6915774.story
 
Haleigh's mom regains custody of girl's brother
Published: Saturday, January 23, 2010 2:08 AM EST
<snipped>
"He's already gone," Annette Sykes, paternal grandmother of Haleigh, said Friday afternoon. "It's really hard with his daddy gone to let him go. He has been with us all of his life."

The state Department of Children and Family Services confirmed Friday that Junior was taken into the custody of his mother, Crystal Sheffield, as decided by the judge.

"The first priority of DCF is the safety of all children," John Harrell, a spokesman for DCF, said.

Cummings and the children's biological mother, Crystal Sheffield, have been estranged for several years.

Sheffield's former attorney, Kim Picazio, was glad to hear the news.

"It looks like the amount of bond will keep Ronald in jail for a while, so naturally the child would go to the biological mother in this case," Picazio said. "It is definitely the safest place for Junior."


Article:
http://www.palatkadailynews.com/articles/2010/01/23/news/news01.txt
 
Jailhouse interview: Ronald Cummings talks about arrest
Father of missing Haleigh Cummings calls drug charges 'a setback in my life'
Story updated at 9:46 PM on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010
<snipped>
From his one-man cell at the Flagler County jail Sunday, Ronald Cummings said he hasn&#8217;t been questioned yet about the disappearance of his daughter, Haleigh, but said her still open case made him a target.

&#8220;They told me their main focus is not putting me in jail, it was finding Haleigh,&#8221; Cummings said in a phone call to a Times-Union reporter.

Cummings, 26, said the assertion was made after he was grabbed Wednesday evening after he stopped at a convenience store on U.S. 17 south of Palatka in San Mateo. When Cummings came out of the store after buying a pack of cigarettes he said he was called over to a car by a man he knew.

When he climbed in, his ex-wife, Misty Croslin, 18, was also inside.

When Cummings got out of the car, officers from state agencies and the Putnam County Sheriff&#8217;s Office swarmed in and arrested him and Croslin on charges of trafficking in prescription pills. Cummings said he was thrown on the ground, handcuffed and told there was a warrant for his arrest.

Cummings wouldn&#8217;t discuss the drug charges other than to say he thinks he will go to prison.

He said he had nothing to do with a tattoo with his name on it that Croslin got this month. Croslin and Sykes each paid for tattoos they got at the same time, he said.

Cummings said he is housed in a cell alone and that there are no other inmates nearby.

*Much More At Link!

Article:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/..._interview_ronald_cummings_talks_about_arrest
 
Haleigh Cummings&#8217; grandmother to &#8216;Today&#8217;: Misty is the key to this
NBC, Today, WESH &#8212; posted by halboedeker on January, 25 2010 8:32 AM
<snipped>
&#8220;I believe, whether or not she realizes it, Misty is holding something that could possibly help Haleigh&#8217;s case,&#8221; Teresa Neves told NBC&#8217;s Ann Curry. &#8220;All the law enforcement have said she is the key to this. You have to figure that there&#8217;s something that she&#8217;s not telling.&#8221;

Neves said she didn&#8217;t know if Croslin is withholding information on purpose or subconsciously.

But the main focus on &#8220;Today&#8221; was Haleigh, who has been missing nearly a year. Grandmother Neves said she didn&#8217;t believe Croslin had done anything to hurt the 5-year-old girl.

&#8220;It has been a very hard year,&#8221; Neves said. The grandmother highlighted the challenge of keeping the child&#8217;s face in the media spotlight. Neves spoke to &#8220;Today&#8221; via satellite from Welaka.


Article:
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/en...mother-to-today-misty-is-the-key-to-this.html
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Today Show Video: Drug Sting Nets Parents Of Missing Girl 6:53
Jan. 25: With the parents of missing Haleigh Cummings now in jail, authorities in Florida are hoping for more clues in the child's disappearance. Haleigh's paternal grandmother, Teresa Neves, speaks with TODAY's Ann Curry.
Today Show Video Player
 
Cummings: Told HaLeigh is focus
Investigators say arrest in drug case unconnected to girl's disappearance
Posted: January 25, 2010 - 12:11am
<snipped>
"They told me their main focus is not putting me in jail, it was finding HaLeigh," Cummings said in a phone call to a Florida Times-Union reporter.

Cummings, 26, said the assertion was made after he was grabbed Wednesday evening after he stopped at a convenience store on U.S. 17 south of Palatka in San Mateo. When Cummings came out of the store after buying a pack of cigarettes he said he was called over to a car by a man he knew.

When he climbed in, his ex-wife, Misty Croslin, 18, was also inside.

When Cummings got out of the car, officers from state agencies and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office swarmed in and arrested him and Croslin on charges of trafficking in prescription pills. Cummings said he was thrown on the ground, handcuffed and told there was a warrant for his arrest.

Cummings said he is housed in a cell alone and that there are no other inmates nearby. The door to the cell is solid with a narrow pass-through for food. When he uses the phone, it is handed through the slot, he said.

Cummings blames the isolation on being involved in a "high profile case," he said. His treatment at the jail has been mixed, he said, with some corrections officers easier to get along with than others.

He said he has been allowed only one shower so far, though three a week is the routine, and has not been allowed recreation time.

"I'm going to prison," he said. He said he had no idea how long any sentence might be. When Cummings was arrested, a Sheriff's Office spokesman said convictions on all the charges could mean 43 years in prison.


Article:
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-01-25/cummings-told-haleigh-focus
 
Haleigh's Grandma: 'Misty Holding Info'
Teresa Neves Appears On NBC's 'Today' Show To Talk About Girl's Disappearance
POSTED: Monday, January 25, 2010
UPDATED: 6:02 pm EST January 25, 2010
<snipped>
"I believe that whether or not she realizes it, Misty is holding something that could possibly help Haleigh's case," Neves said on the "Today" show.

Investigators said they are taking the opportunity to question Ronald, Misty and her brother Hank Croslin Jr., also arrested on drug charges, about Haleigh's disappearance.

"At this point, I suspect her of withholding information that may help in this case," Neves said. "I don't really believe she has done anything to harm Haleigh on purpose. I personally think that it's just something that would help find Haleigh, and that's what we are hoping for."

As for Haleigh's grandmother Neves, she wants to put the focus back on her granddaughter, who's been missing since February.


Video: Grandmother Appears On 'Today' Show
http://www.news4jax.com/video/22337613/index.html

Article:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/22335866/detail.html
 
Haleigh Cummings' family speaks about recent drug arrests
Updated: Monday, 25 Jan 2010, 9:06 PM EST
Published : Monday, 25 Jan 2010, 9:06 PM EST
<snipped>
Both Misty and Ronald have been able to make phone calls to their loved ones, and both say they are trying to keep in good spirits despite facing lengthy prison terms for trafficking prescription pain pills.

A judge has reduced Misty Croslin&#8217;s bond from $950,000 to $500,000. Misty&#8217;s family says even though her bond has been reduced, they still can&#8217;t afford to bail her out. Members of Misty&#8217;s family say Misty has contacted them a few times by telephone for 4 or 5 minute clips. We are told Misty has done a lot of crying on the phone, and has talked about going to Bible study while being under incarceration.

Ronald Cummings, Haleigh Cummings&#8217; father, is sitting in a Flagler County jail cell by himself. His grandmother says he does have access to a telephone. She says Ronald has contacted them a few times but mainly talks about the search for Haleigh. Ronald&#8217;s grandmother also says visitation is only allowed once a week on Wednesdays, and this Wednesday will be the first time his mother will see him since he was locked away this past Thursday.


Article:
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/crime/012510-haleigh-cummings-family-arrests
 
Haleigh's Grandmother Questions Misty's Honesty
January 25, 2010 9:16 PM
<snipped>
Haleigh's grandmother Teresa Neves went on the Today Show on Monday to talk about the disappearance of the little girl.

She thinks that Misty Croslin-Cummings is not telling the whole story.
"At this point I suspect her of withhold information that may help in this case. I don't really think she has done anything to harm Haleigh on purpose. I personally think that it is just something that would help find Haleigh and that is what we are hoping for," Neves said.


Article:
http://wokv.com/localnews/2010/01/haleighs-grandmother-questions.html
 
Cummings family talks about arrests
Last Update: 1/25 8:43 pm
<snipped>
Four days after Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin were arrested on drug trafficking charges, their families are talking to Action News about the experiences they are having behind bars.

Both Misty and Ronald have been able to make phone calls to their loved ones, and both say they are trying to keep in good spirits despite facing lengthy prison terms for trafficking prescription pain pills.

A judge has reduced Misty Croslin&#8217;s bond from $950,000 to $500,000. Misty&#8217;s family says even though her bond has been reduced, they still can&#8217;t afford to bail her out.

Misty Croslin, Misty&#8217;s brother Hank &#8220;Tommy&#8221; Croslin Jr., Ronald Cummings, Ronald&#8217;s cousin Hope Sykes, and a woman named Donna Brock all face drug trafficking charges for the illegal sale and possession of oxycodone and hydrocodone. If convicted, Ronald, Misty and Donna could face mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years in prison


Slideshow: The Putnam County Sheriff's Office tells Action News the five were arrested following a month-long undercover operation. Investigators say on seven separate occasions, they purchased the prescription drugs Oxycodone and Hydrocodone from the Croslins, Cummings, Sykes and Broch.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/Photo.aspx?content_id=c0df357b-52f3-4f2e-a16d-f56cf1146005

Video: Haleigh Family Arrests 1/25/10 1:47
The family of the parents of missing 5 year old Haleigh Cummings is talking about the recent arrests
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&navCatId=5

Article:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/conten...lks-about-arrests/ezXfwPNSLk-hbfVs8RRgBQ.cspx
 
UPDATED: Haleigh Cummings' Mother Gets Temporary Custody Of Son
Created: 1/20/2010 11:26:49 PM Updated: 1/23/2010 3:47:27 PM
<snipped>
Crystal Sheffield has been granted temporary custody of her son Ronald Cummings Jr. after an emergency shelter hearing Thursday. The hearing was held after the arrest of the boy's father Ronald Cummings Sr. on drug charges.

Cummings had custody of his son prior to the emergency hearing. Permanent custody to Crystal Sheffield would have to be determined in another custody hearing.

The arrests happened more than 11 months after the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings, Ronald's daughter, who was in the care of Misty Croslin when she disappeared.

The little girl hasn't been seen since she went to bed on the night of Feb. 9. Misty Croslin said she tucked the girl in around 8 p.m. Seven hours later, Croslin noticed Haleigh missing.


Article:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/amberalerts/news-article.aspx?storyid=151021&catid=295
 
Haleigh Cummings' family speaks about recent drug arrests
"Snip" http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news...family-arrests
Jan 25, 2009
Members of Misty’s family say Misty has contacted them a few times by telephone for 4 or 5 minute clips. We are told Misty has done a lot of crying on the phone, and has talked about going to Bible study while being under incarceration.
 

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