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[MADJGNLAW]

Tenn. man tied to Haleigh Cummings case arrested on drug charges
Cousin of Misty Croslin has been questioned in the past
Posted: August 9, 2010 - 3:28pm
"Snip" http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...d-haleigh-cummings-case-arrested-drug-charges
"Snip"

By Dana Treen
A Tennessee man questioned in the disappearance of Haleigh Cummings has been charged with growing marijuana after police went to his house looking for suspects in an aggravated assault.

Joseph Edward Overstreet, 21, and another man were arrested Sunday after police received a tip that suspects in the assault and an attempted robbery were there.

Five pot plants were found growing in the backyard at the house.

Overstreet was questioned in Haleigh's dissaperance and then left to go back to Tennessee a within a day of her going missing.

Flora Hollars has said she was told he took Haleigh but other family members deny she was told that happened.

Chief of detectives Rick Ryan of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said barring any new developments they were not planning to interview Overstreet again after this arrest. He has been questioned in the past but not called a suspect.

Joe Overstreet was Charged with growing marijuana & possession of drug paraphernalia.

Justin Blair Hogue, 22, was charged with grand theft, petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia after telling police he traded narcotics for a stolen car that was found on the property, according to an arrest warrant.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Cousin of Misty Croslin arrested on drug charges
Man questioned in HaLeigh case, but he is not a suspect
Posted: August 10, 2010
"Snip" http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-08-10/cousin-misty-croslin-arrested-drug-charges

By Dana Treen
A Tennessee man questioned in the of HaLeigh Cummings has been charged with growing marijuana after police went to his house looking for suspects in an aggravated assault.

Joseph Edward Overstreet, 21, and another man were arrested Sunday in Antioch TN.
Overstreet was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Overstreet, who was in Florida visiting relatives including cousin Misty Croslin the weekend HaLeigh disappeared, has been questioned about that case. Overstreet left to go back to Tennessee a within a day of her going missing.


Chief of Detectives Rick Ryan of the PCSO said barring any new developments they were not planning to interview Overstreet again after this arrest. He has been questioned in the past but not called a suspect.

Justin Blair Hogue, was charged with grand theft, petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Vigil Marks 18 Months Since Haleigh Disappeared
Grandmother Says Family Is Holding Onto Hope
POSTED: 11:18 am EDT August 10, 2010

"Snip" http://www.wesh.com/r/24577723/detail.html
PALATKA, Fla. -- Tuesday marks 18 months since Haleigh Cummings vanished from her Putnam County home.

Her father's family will hold a vigil Tuesday night at the First Baptist Church in Welaka.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Vigil Held For Haleigh Cummings
'snip"
UPDATED: August 11, 2010
Video Report: http://www.wesh.com/video/24588008/detail.html

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Watch: Family of Haleigh Cummings celebrate her life one and a half years following her disappearance http://jacksonville.com/video/enter...amily-haleigh-cummings-celebrate-her-life-one
AS, TN, CC, and other speak.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

2010.08.16 Misty Croslin Scheduled For Hearing On Drug Charges today


"Snip" http://www.wesh.com/r/24643311/detail.html

POSTED: 6:33 am EDT August 16, 2010


PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Misty Croslin is scheduled for a hearing in Putnam County on drug trafficking charges.


Misty Croslin was the last known person seen with Haleigh Cummings before she vanished in February of last year.


Misty Croslin trial set for Aug. 23

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin Enters 'No Contest' Plea to Putnam Drug Charges

"Snip" http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=163192&catid=3

Updated: 8/16/2010 10:55:59 AM


PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Misty Croslin could spend up to 240 years in prison, her attorney likely will seek a sentence closer to six years.

Misty Croslin, entered a "no contest" plea to the 7 drug-related charges.

The maximum she could face if all seven charges are given the maximum sentence and are assigned consecutively would be 240 years, according to the state attorney's office.

Misty's attorney, is trying to have Misty sentenced as a youthful offender, which means she could face up to six years.

Misty will learn her sentence in October.

Robert Fields, told the judge this morning that a "landslide of evidence" against Croslin, including video of her with the drugs and several undercover officers as witnesses in the case, led to the no contest plea.

Fields also said he will need about three hours to present his case at the sentencing hearing, where he will introduce more evidence and witnesses.

Croslin was shown with a shorter haircut, she told the judge she understands the charges against her.

Misty is due in St. Johns County court Tuesday to face a similar charge, and there's a potential rub.

Under Florida law, youthful offender status can only be granted one time, so if Croslin is sentenced in Putnam County as a youthful offender, she cannot be given the same treatment in St. Johns County.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin Cummings Pleads No Contest To Putnam Co. Drug Charges http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7922409.php

Croslin-Cummings Expected to Enter No Contest Plea in St. Johns Co. Tuesday http://www.thesky973.com/pages/7922409.php
Posted: Monday, 16 August 2010 3:30PM


"Snip" TJ Hart


Misty Croslin-Cummings could be sentenced up to 25 years in prison to drug trafficking charges after entering a plea of no contest Monday in Putnam County.

She faces similar charges Tuesday in St. Johns County. Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis expects a similar plea change in that case.

Croslin-Cummings will learn her sentence on the Putnam County charges in October.



The maximum Misty Croslin could face if all 7 charges are given the max sentence and are assigned consecutively would be 240 years, according to the state attorney's office.


With Misty Croslin being charged with drug trafficking in both Putnam and St. Johns counties, there's a potential conflict for her attorney going for the youthful offender sentencing. In Florida, youthful offender status can only be granted one time, so if Croslin is sentenced in Putnam County as a youthful offender, she cannot be given the same in St. Johns County.

The charge against her in SJC carries minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years if convicted.

Misty Croslin was babysitting Haleigh Cummings in February. Haleigh Cummings has yet to be found, the case has been reclassified as a homicide.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Woman linked to Haleigh Cummings' disappearance pleads no contest in drug case
The Associated Press

Updated: 1:04 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
"Snip" http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/s...-cummings-disappearance-pleads-no-862107.html

PALATKA, Fla. — Misty Croslin could be sentenced up to 25 years in prison.

Misty pleaded no contest to charges of trafficking in prescription drugs in PC. She faces similar charges in SJC, a hearing is set for Aug 23.
Assistant SA Jason Lewis expects a similar plea in SJC.


Haleigh's father Ronald Cummings also was charged in the same undercover sting earlier this year and has tentatively agreed to a 15-year sentence.

Information from: The Gainesville Sun, http://www.gainesvillesun.com

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin pleads no contest in drug-trafficking case

By Chad Smith Staff writer
"snip" http://www.gainesville.com/article/...in-pleads-no-contest-in-drug-trafficking-case


Published: Monday, August 16, 2010

PALATKA - Misty Croslin, the woman who was watching 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings on the night in February 2009 when the girl was reported missing from her Satsuma home, pleaded no contest to unrelated drug-trafficking charges on Monday.


Misty Croslin has another trafficking case in St. Johns County, where a hearing is set for Aug 23 where it is said a similar plea is expected in that case.

Haleigh's father, Ronald Cummings, was also charged in the same undercover sting earlier this year and has tentatively agreed to a 15-year sentence.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Cummings Pleads To Drug Charges Likely Faces 25 Years In Prison
Flora Hollars said she thinks as long as Misty and her brother, Hank, are in jail, they won't tell what they know about Haleigh.


UPDATED: 5:18 pm EDT August 16, 2010
"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24645217/detail.html

PALATKA, Fla. -- Misty's attorney, Robert Fields, told the judge a "landslide of evidence" against Cummings, including the undercover video, led to her no contest plea.

Ronald Cummings is nearing a plea agreement, and Hank Croslin plead no contest to similar charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Misty could face about 200 years in prison on the 7 counts of drug trafficking, but as a youthful offender, her sentence will more likely range from six to 25 years, lawyers said. Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 19.

Misty faces one more drug trafficking charge in St. Johns County, Hearing Tuesday morning Aug 23.


Misty's grandmother, Flora Hollars said she thinks as long as Misty and Hank Jr. are in jail, they won't tell what they know about Haleigh.

"I believe they'll do more talking out of jail," Hollars said in a phone interview Monday. "Look at how long it's been. They ain't said nothing."

Misty and Hank's mom and dad were also recently arrested and are in jail on drug charges. Hollars said with the entire family in jail, the chances of them talking are slim to none.

"I don't think they'll say anything as long as they're in jail," Hollars said. "If they were out, they might talk."

Hollars said she still believes Haleigh's body was dumped into the St. Johns River, and in her opinion, everyone in the Croslin family knows more than what they've admitted to.

"Misty is the one that told me they wrapped her in a bag and tied it with a yellow rope and dropped her into the St. Johns River," Hollars said.


"I think Ronald knows more than he's saying, too," Hollars said.

 

[ladonna]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/topstories/news-article.aspx?storyid=163388&catid=3


Crystal was in court today!! She wanted to see Misty's face on Haleigh's birthday.

 

[Debbie3223]

Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell



Did Misty Croslin finally crack? A horrifying new story emerges in the desperate search for Haleigh Cummings! Misty's lawyer now says she hid under a sheet the night Haleigh was violently attacked! He’s claiming Misty cowered in fear while little Haliegh screamed for help as she was stuffed inside a bag! So who is Misty pointing the finger at this time? And why should we believe her now?via HootSuite -34 minutes ago



http://www.facebook.com/JaneVelezMitchellHLN

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin: Haleigh Cummings Was Attacked

Croslin: Haleigh Was Taken By Family Member Looking For Gun
UPATED: 5:39 pm EDT August 17, 2010

"Snip" http://www.wesh.com/news/24660020/detail.html

Fla. -- Misty Croslin has reportedly told investigators she heard Haleigh being attacked before she vanished.

Misty Croslin's attorney Robert Fields said Tuesday that she told investigators the attack came after a cousin came to the Satsuma mobile home looking for a gun belonging to Ronald Cummings.

Fields said "Haleigh was a substitute" for the missing gun.

PCSO said, "any information obtained in this case is not to be released" and that the "investigation is far too important to be jeopardized by releasing this type of sensitive information."

PCSO has questioned Misty Croslin's credibility.

Crystal Sheffield, said on Tuesday she believes Croslin is the key to the investigation.

"I want her to look me in my eyes and see the hurt because I don't have my baby," Sheffield said. "She could have done something."

Haleigh would have turned 7 on Tuesday.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Lawyer: Misty Knows Who Took Haleigh
Defense Attorney Says Cousin Took Haleigh In Black Bag


UPDATED: 4:56 pm EDT August 17, 2010

"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/24658375/detail.html

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Misty's attorney, Robert Fields, said she has told investigators what happened in that Putnam County mobile home the February 2009 night that the 5-year-old disappeared.

Fields said Misty told detectives the day after she was arrested on the drug charges in January that Joe Overstreet, and Hank Croslin Jr., came looking for a semi-automatic machine gun. Since the gun wasn't there, Overstreet took Haleigh as a substitute for the gun.

"According to Misty, Joe took Haleigh while Misty was laying in bed and covered herself up with a blanket," "They were there for like seven minutes, appeared to be on drugs and Misty says she saw Joe put Haleigh in a black bag and she heard Haleigh scream."

Putnam County investigators have interviewed Overstreet in Tennessee, where he currently lives. He has never been called a suspect or a person of interest in the Haleigh Cummings case.

"Investigators are still working this case diligently, and we believe we will find out what happened to Haleigh, but it's going to take time," Lt. Johnny Greenwood said Tuesday. "We don't know if the break in Haleigh's disappearance will come from behind bars or from the public."

"Everyone is considered a person of interest in Haleigh's disappearance except Crystal Sheffield and Ronald Cummings," he added.

Tuesday marks the day Haleigh would have turned 7 years old. Her family planned a balloon release for Tuesday afternoon.


Misty faced drug trafficking charges in two counties.
She faces up to 25 years in prison in SJC charge, in addition to up to 200 years on the 7 counts in Putnam County.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Haleigh Cummings Update: Missing Child's Ex-Stepmom Says She Saw What Happened
CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013890-504083.html

"Snip" August 17, 2010 5:32 PM Posted by Carlin DeGuerin Miller


ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (CBS/AP) It's been over a year since Haleigh Cummings was reported missing from her father's northeast Florida home, but the case is far from cold.


Investigators have been inundated by leads and tips, but the latest twist makes Haleigh's case one of the more puzzling child abduction cases in recent memory.


Robert Fields, told reporters outside the courthouse that Croslin claims to have seen what happened to Haleigh and who was responsible.



According to Fields, Croslin claims Overstreet, and Hank Croslin, Jr., came to the house looking for a Ronald Cummings gun . When they didn't find it, Croslin says Overstreet took Haleigh instead, stuffing the screaming her inside a black bag.



Misty says she was hiding under a blanket with Jr. during the incident, says she heard Haleigh's screams as she was being carried off as a "replacement" for the missing gun.



Fields said Misty Croslin gave her account to investigators after her arrest on the drug charges in January.


In a statement, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said authorities would not discuss any information about the case.


Investigators have reason to be skeptical of Croslin's information.


Croslin's family have also pointed the finger at Overstreet before, claiming he was at the mobile home the night Haleigh disappeared.


Overstreet has never been charged or named as a suspect in Haleigh's disappearance. His attorney, Shawn P. Sirgo said Tuesday that his client had nothing to do with the child's disappearance.


"I don't believe anything [Croslin] said," he said.


Tuesday marks Haleigh's 7th birthday.



Haleigh is blonde with curly hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Putnam County Sheriff's Office at 386-329-0808.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin attorney: She heard Haleigh Cummings being attacked before she vanished
Posted: August 17, 2010 http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...she-heard-haleigh-cummings-being-attacked-she
"Snip" By Dana Treen
ST. AUGUSTINE — Misty Croslin cowered beneath a sheet and heard the screams of Haleigh Cummings being attacked the night the 5-year-old disappeared, Croslin's attorney said this morning.


Misty said she heard the attack then heard a van door outside open and close.

The five- to six-minute attack happened after Joe Overstreet came to the mobile home looking for Ronald's machine gun.

The gun wasn't there, "Haleigh was a substitute,".

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

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


Fields said it is not clear if Croslin Jr. was at the mobile home when Haleigh was attacked. He had been there earlier in the night.

Croslin Jr. has said he was at the mobile home that night. He and his sister are telling investigators similar stories, Fields said.

Croslin Jr. has said he delayed telling his part of the story because he feared for the welfare of his family.


Investigators questioned Overstreet that February and again this year, he has never been charged or named a suspect.

Today, Shawn Sirgo, his attorney in Tennessee, said Overstreet was nowhere near the mobile home and was with another relative when they learned Haleigh was gone.

Today marks Haleigh's seventh birthday. A balloon release @ 2 p.m. at Memorial Bridge in Palatka.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Misty Croslin pleads no contest to drug trafficking charges -Wishes she had stayed away from Ronald Cummings
Posted: August 17, 2010
By Dana Treen
"Snip" http://staugustine.com/news/local-n...in-pleads-no-contest-drug-trafficking-charges

PALATKA -- 15-year prison sentences given to others caught dealing drugs with Misty Croslin worry her.
Robert Fields, provided answers Misty gave to Times-Union questions about her future and her past.

Misty Croslin said she is saddened by the disappearance of HaLeigh and wishes she had stayed away from Ronald Cummings, who is charged in several of the same drug cases.
Misty Croslin is saddened by the case but "loved HaLeigh and always has." Feilds said she has cooperated with investigators.


Asked what she would have done differently in the past, Croslin said she would not have become involved with Ronald Cummings, Fields said.[/U][/B]

"She would have stayed away from Ronald, as everyone told her to do," Fields said.



Misty Croslin told Judge LaRue she had a seventh-grade education and had worked once for eight months as a restaurant hostess but mostly worked as a baby sitter.



Fields said he will need three hours to put up a case to show why Croslin should be sentenced as a youthful offender.

"Basically, it was a history devoid of education, devoid of proper role models, devoid of structure, devoid of normalcy,".

Her parents are in jail on charges of recently buying crack cocaine in Palatka.



Fields said one question he would not answer is why Croslin was involved in drug dealing while the investigation into HaLeigh's disappearance was ongoing.


Fields said she had been caught in a "landslide" of potential evidence in the drug cases and had no option but to make the no-contest plea.

A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered by LaRue, but no firm sentencing date was set.

Oct. 19 was put aside as what LaRue called a "housekeeping" date, but that will be changed later.


Fields said he may try to have the judges consider the charges "part of a stream of cases" that can be folded together.



Lewis said Cummings is a possible witness against Croslin, though no decision about that has been made. Cummings will be in Putnam County court Friday, possibly with a deal for a 15-yr sentence.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Watch: Family of Haleigh Cummings celebrate her birthday with balloon release
Video http://jacksonville.com/video/enter...amily-haleigh-cummings-celebrate-her-birthday
By Amanda Warford "Snip"
Posted: August 17, 2010 - 8:15pm
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid40190701001?bctid=587393938001

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Balloons Released to Mark Haleigh Cummings' 7th Birthday; Croslin Pleads 'No Contest' in SJC
"Snip" http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=163388&catid=3

Updated: 8/17/2010 6:34:10 PM


ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Strangers, friends and family, led by the grandmother of Haleigh Cummings released balloons into the air today to commemorate her seventh birthday.

"She'll come home...absolutely," she said. "Even though she's not here, we're celebrating her life...I know wherever she is, she's thinking about us, and we're thinking about her," said Teresa Neves.


Neves spoke on behalf of her son, who is in jail. She said he hasn't been doing well lately and is depressed.

Haleigh was born at 2:16 a.m. Aug. 17, 2003. The group released the balloons at 2:16 p.m. in her honor.


Crystal Sheffield, was in court , saying she wanted to see Croslin's face on her daughter's birthday.

She also said she believes Croslin is responsible for Haleigh's disappearance. Tearing up as she spoke, she said, "Happy birthday, Haleigh, wherever you are."

Sheffield said she believes her daughter is still alive.


If you know anything about Haleigh Cummings' whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS (8477). You will remain anonymous, and there is a reward of more than $30,000 being offered.