2010.04.27 - Today's Current News - ***NO DISCUSSIONS HERE PLEASE ***

http://www.gainesville.com/article/...Cummings-cousin-gets-15-years-for-trafficking

Cummings' cousin gets 15 years for trafficking

By Cindy Swirko
Staff writer


Published: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 10:57 a.m.
PALATKA - Hope Sykes - an 18-year-old cousin of Ronald Cummings, the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings - pleaded no contest Tuesday to one count of trafficking in narcotics.

Cousin of Haleigh Cummings' father sentenced to 15 years on drug trafficking charge

"Snip" By Dana Treen
The only person to plead no contest to drug trafficking was sentenced to 15 years in prison this morning.


Hope Sykes was 18 when she was arrested in January on a charge of trafficking.

Sykes had been out of jail less than two weeks on a possession charge when she was arrested in the trafficking case, which Circuit Judge Terry LaRue said disqualified her for youthful offender consideration.

Family members gasped and Sykes was clearly shaken at the sentence imposed after an hour of testimony on her behalf by her family and others.

Cummings was in the courtroom as a defense witness but not called.

LaRue said the youthful offender statute is for young people who are pressured or led astray by peers.

"That's not the case here," he said. He said the second charge was not a simple possession charge.

"What she did was engage in trafficking," he said.

The prosecutor played a tape of an angry and unremorseful Sykes telling her mother, "if they think I am bad now wait until I get out."

She was also fined $250,000.

Read More http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/...gs-father-sentenced-15-years-drug-trafficking

Cummings' Relative Sentenced In Drug Case
Hope Sykes Gets 15 Years In Prison On Drug Trafficking Charge

"Snip" http://www.news4jax.com/news/23277023/detail.html
UPDATED: 11:42 am EDT April 27, 2010


PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Hope Sykes received a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to a drug trafficking charge. She also faces $250,000 in fines.

Sykes was among 5 people, including Ronald and Misty , Hank Croslin Jr., and Donna Brock, arrested in January on the drug charges.

If convicted, Ronald and Misty Cummings could receive a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison. Hank Croslin, if convicted, could face a minimum sentence of three to 15 years in prison.



Investigators said, that Haleigh is likely dead, the investigation has gone from a missing persons case to a homicide investigation.

Investigators searched a St. Johns River boat ramp and found two cinder blocks, according to sources. They are waiting for the forensic evidence to be processed. Hank Croslin's attorney said it was Croslin's tip that led investigators to search the river. Misty Cummings was also seen at the dock being questioned.

Report: Relative of Haleigh Cummings gets 15 years for drug trafficking
Hope Sykes is the 18-year-old cousin of the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings.
12:20 p.m. EDT, April 27, 2010
<snipped>
A relative of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking, news Web sites are reporting.

Hope Sykes is an 18-year-old cousin of Ronald Cummings, the father of missing Putnam County girl Haleigh Cummings, Gainesville.com is reporting.

Sykes pleaded no contest.

Article:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...s-relative-sentenced-20100427,0,4820656.story