HALEIGH CUMMINGS - 5 yo - Satsuma FL - The Beginning

Pictures of Ron's Plea Deal Today

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100820/ARTICLES/100829981/1402/NEWS?Title=Haleigh-Cummings-dad-pleads-guilty-in-drug-case


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Ronald Cummings pleads guilty to drug trafficking

PALATKA - Ronald L. Cummings, the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings, pleaded guilty Friday morning on three counts of trafficking in hydrocodone.
One of the crimes carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison. The other two offenses -- more serious because they involve larger amounts of the prescription drug -- carry mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years.

Cummings, 26, was initially charged with five counts, and the remaining two were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Circuit Judge Terry LaRue set a sentencing date of Sept. 24.

Cummings has been in jail since his arrest along with several co-defendants in January following an undercover investigation.

His attorney, Terry Shoemaker, said he hopes the total sentence will be 15 years, with the three sentences being served concurrently.

Shoemaker said part of the agreement is that Cummings will provide testimony about his drug co-defendants if needed. But Shoemaker said he doubts that will be necessary because they are not contesting the charges.

"I don't think there is anything else he can give (prosecutors). He has answered all of their questions," Shoemaker said.

Also arrested in the operation were Cummings' former wife, Misty Croslin, who was in the home when Haleigh disappeared; her brother, Hank "Tommy" Croslin Jr.; Cummings' cousin, Hope Sykes; and a friend of Misty Croslin, Donna Brock.

Haleigh's mother, Crystal Sheffield, was in the courtroom Friday for Cummings' hearing. Also in the courtroom were several relatives of Cummings and the Croslins' mother, Lisa Croslin.

Misty and Tommy Croslin are key figures in the Haleigh case and have implicated a cousin in her disappearance.

Outside the courthouse after the hearing, an emotional Sheffield began yelling from a distance at Lisa Croslin. Relatives of Sheffield had to physically keep her from going over to Lisa Croslin.

Members of Cummings' family declined to comment after the hearing.

Lisa Croslin and her husband, Hank Croslin Sr., were recently arrested by Palatka police on charges of purchasing cocaine. She said Friday that the charges against her were dropped, while her husband remains in jail.

Misty and Tommy Croslin are key figures in the Haleigh case and have implicated a cousin in her disappearance.


http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100820/ARTICLES/100829978&tc=omni?p=1&tc=pg