Cummings' bond-reduction hearing canceled

By Cindy Swirko
Staff writer

Published: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 12:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 12:55 p.m.

A bond-reduction hearing scheduled for this afternoon for Ronald Cummings, the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings, on drug trafficking charges has been canceled, the Putnam County Clerk of Court Office has reported.

Cummings, 26, is charged with five counts of trafficking narcotics, with bond set at $900,000. A reduction hearing was set for 2 p.m. in Putnam County but was canceled and has not been rescheduled.

Cummings, his former wife, Misty Croslin, and three others were arrested in January following an undercover investigation in which an officer allegedly bought narcotics such as oxycodone.

Haleigh disappeared from Cummings' home in February 2009 while under the care of Croslin, who was then Cummings' girlfriend. Sheriff Jeff Hardy recently said authorities believe Haleigh is dead and that the case is being considered a homicide.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100507/ARTICLES/100509533/1002/NEWS01?Title=Cummings-bond-reduction-hearing-canceled&tc=ar

I wonder why. Maybe because there are negotiations going on behind the scenes?

Interesting development. I thought from the beginning that smirky Ron was somehow behind this whole drug bust. Set them all up.

Then I thought they kept him for a while in case they needed to call upon him later.

Then I thought the bond reduction was per plan to let him go now that his work was finished.

This kind of suprises me.

But I have to ask. If his bond is lowered to say $100,000 how much does Mr. Ron have to come up with and if it is 10% $10,000. Where does Mr. Ron get that kind of money?

His family jeanne. I think his Mom and Grandma will find the money if it is lowered. Some thing last minute happened. It is very interesting.

I have to agree. I think he knows more about HaLeigh than he has let on and I think he told investigators. Thus, they cancelled the bond hearing.

This is something to keep an eye on as I would not be surprised if he gets out.

Doesn't cancelling a bond hearing mean you stay in?

Normally, yes..but this case is FAR from Normal.

Damn, even the Sheriff's kid is in jail for making meth!

Cummings seeking bond reduction in drug case

Staff report

Published: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 9:58 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 7, 2010 at 9:58 a.m.
Ronald Cummings, the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings, has requested a hearing today to consider reducing his bond on drug trafficking charges, according to the 7th Circuit State Attorney's Office.

Cummings, 26, is charged with five counts of trafficking narcotics, with bond set at $900,000. A reduction hearing is set for 2 p.m. in Putnam County, but a possibility exists it could be canceled, said Chris Kelly, spokesman for the State Attorney's Office.

Cummings, his former wife, Misty Croslin, and three others were arrested in January following an undercover investigation in which an officer allegedly bought narcotics such as oxycodone.

Haleigh disappeared from Cummings' home in February 2009 while under the care of Croslin, who was then Cummings' girlfriend. Sheriff Jeff Hardy recently said authorities believe Haleigh is dead and that the case is being considered a homicide.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100507/articles/100509550

I am beginning to wonder if Ron knows Sheriff Hardy's son. They are about the same age and Satsuma is a small town. Something is definitely up.

Check this out:

UCN: 542010CF000253XXAXMX
File Date: 2010-02-03 Judge: TERRY J LARUE
Defense Atty: SHOEMAKER, TERRY J

Defendant
CUMMINGS, RONALD LEMYLES
Alias

Date # Docket Description
2010-02-03 1 COMPLAINT FILED: PCSO/DET T CAMPBELL 1-19-10
2010-02-03 1 BOOKING NUMBER: N/A
2010-02-03 2 INFORMATION - TRAFFICKING IN HYDROCODONE (14G-28G)
2010-02-03 3 CAPIAS REQUEST FORM - BOND $150,000 NATIONWIDE
2010-02-03 4 CAPIAS ISSUED - BOND SET AT $150,000 NATIONWIDE
2010-02-04 5 ARREST REPORT - TRAFFICKING IN HYDROCODONE (14G -28G)
2010-02-04 5 ARREST DATE:02/03/2010
2010-02-04 5 BOOKING NUMBER:10-0276
2010-02-04 6 DEFENDANT PRESENT FOR FIRST APPEARANCE HRG
2010-02-04 6 ADJ INS P D APPOINTED AT FIRST APPEARANCE HEARING
2010-02-04 6 SUFFICIENT PROBABLE CAUSE FOUND
2010-02-04 6 $150,000 SECURED BOND SET
2010-02-04 7 CAPIAS RETURNED EXECUTED
2010-02-10 8 NOTICE OF APPEARANCE FILED BY: TERRY J SHOEMAKER
2010-02-10 9 NOTICE OF DISCOVERY
2010-02-10 10 STATE'S DISCOVERY EXHIBIT
2010-02-10 11 WITNESS LIST
2010-02-10 12 DEMAND FOR RECIPROCAL DISCLOSURE
2010-02-11 13 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (02-18-2010) IN JAIL
2010-02-11 14 NOTICE TO ATTORNEY (02-18-2010)
2010-02-17 15 WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT, PLEA OF NOT GUILTY, AND DEMAND
2010-02-17 15 FOR JURY TRIAL FILED BY:TERRY J SHOEMAKER (FAX)
2010-02-17 17 FOR JURY TRIAL FILED BY:TERRY J SHOEMAKER (ORIGINAL)
2010-02-18 16 ORDER SETTING CASE FOR PRETRIAL 03/31/2010
2010-02-19 17 WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT, PLEA OF NOT GUILTY, AND DEMAND
2010-02-23 18 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (03-31-2010) IN JAIL
2010-02-23 19 NOTICE TO ATTORNEY (03-31-2010)
2010-03-03 20 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY / WITNESS LIST
2010-03-17 21 NOTICE OF UNAVAILABILITY
2010-03-29 22 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCOVERY / WITNESS LIST
2010-03-31 23 PRE TRIAL MINUTES: DEFT PRES, ATT BY TERRY SHOEMAKER
2010-03-31 23 ON MOTION OF DEFENSE COUNSEL, COURT ORDERED CASE
2010-03-31 23 CONTINUED TO 05/13/2010
2010-04-07 24 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (05-13-2010) IN JAIL
2010-04-07 25 NOTICE TO ATTORNEY (05-13-2010)
2010-04-26 26 MOTION TO REDUCE BOND
2010-05-06 27 NOTICE OF HEARING SET ON 05/07/2010 AT 2:30 PM
2010-05-06 27 MOTION TO REDUCE BOND
2010-05-06 28 NOTICE OF HEARING SET ON 05/07/2010 AT 2:00 PM
2010-05-06 28 STATE'S MOTION FOR PRODUCTION AND DISCLOSURE OF SOURCE
2010-05-06 28 OF BAIL PREMIUM AND COLLATERAL PRIOR TO DEFENDANT'S
2010-05-06 28 RELEASE ON BAIL (NEBBIA HEARING)

I think Ron ratted on Sheriff Hardy's son. I bet they were dealing drugs together or knew each other as most druggies stick together. I would not be surprised if Ron gets out. I don't understand why is says "Release on Bail") Nebbia Hearing.

What is a Nebbia hearing?

So you posted your bond, you are ready to be released…ready to go home, but you are told the government will not let you go free until you have a Nebbia hearing. In frustration, you ask “what is a Nebbia hearing?”

What is a Nebbia hearing?
A Nebbia hearing, named after the case of U.S. v. Nebbia, 357 F.2d 303 (C.A.N.Y. 1966), is a hearing in which the court must decide whether or not the money or property posted as bail is the fruit of unlawful or criminal conduct. In other words, did the money or property used to post bond come from legitimate sources? The court may conduct a Nebbia hearing on its own motion. However, the determination to hold a Nebbia hearing is left to the discretion of the court. For example, in U.S. v. O’Brien, 895 F.2d 810 (1st Cir. 1990), the court held that even on motion by the government, the court ultimately retains discretion on whether or not to hold a Nebbia hearing. Consequently, it is a not an automatic hearing that the State may invoke.

Who bears the burden of proof?
The burden of proof in a Nebbia hearing is on the Defendant and his/her family to prove that the bail funds or collateral come from legitimate, honest sources. The reasoning behind placing the burden on the Defendant in a Nebbia hearing is the belief that the Defendant is in a better position to prove the legality of the assets. If the State had the burden of proof, the Defendant’s release could be delayed, as the prosecutor would have to gather all relevant and discoverable evidence to investigate the source of the funds.

What kinds of cases involve Nebbia hearings?
Nebbia hearings are particularly common in narcotics and fraud cases, as the court is concerned that the bond money or collateral is coming from the very narcotics sales or fraudulent schemes that the Defendant is being charged with. However, Nebbia hearings may come up in any criminal matter to ensure that the bond or conditions imposed will reasonably assure the defendant’s presence at trial.

http://www.arizonacriminaldefenseblog.com/2008/i-posted-my-bail-so-why-wont-they-let-me-out-of-jail/

Nebbia=is he being bailed out with drug money? That is the question.

I think someone offered to bail him out and they want to make sure it is not w/drug money. I really believe that Ron "dropped dime" on Sheriff Hardy's son as this is just too much of a coincidence w/the timing of the arrest.

Also, I am now wondering if Padilla will bail him out.

Something is definitely up!