Misty Croslin gets 25 years, followed by five years of drug-offender probation. Judge also levied the required $500,000 fine.
updated 12:28am October 9, 2010
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http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-10-09/croslin-gets-25-years
"Snip" By RICHARD PRIOR
Misty Janette Croslin told Judge Berger that she was entitled to a break because, "she learned her lesson not to mess with drugs." She wants to go back to school, is so young, wants to get a job and have a family.
The judge was left with few sentencing choices for Croslin, she could have sentenced Misty as an adult on the first-degree felony.
That would mean a minimum mandatory prison term of 25 years up to a maximum of 30 years.
Or the judge could have followed defense attorney Robert Fields' recommendation and sentenced her as a youthful offender.
The problem with that, Berger said, was the sentencing maximum was six years.
"I had to think ... is this case worth six years?" the judge said. "It's not.
"You made choices. Now you're going to have to live with the choices that you made."
Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis urged Berger to give Croslin the maximum term.
Croslin said she was willing to take her share of the responsibility but wasn't going to shoulder it all.
She didn't hesitate when she admitted to Lewis that drug-dealing was wrong.
Croslin also said she probably wouldn't have been the focus of a drug investigation if it were not for the disappearance of HaLeigh Cummings.
"This case is not about HaLeigh Cummings, Misty," Berger said. "This case is about you and your co-defendants trafficking in drugs."
Crystal Sheffield, starred and occasionally glowered, at Misty for most of the hearing.
Misty said she had been raped for the first time in the seventh grade. It had happened several times since.
Misty took care of a legless great-grandmother when she was 6, feeding and cleaning her.
The family lived in campground tents for prolonged periods, she said.
When she met Ronald Cummings, he was 24; she was 16.
Her attorney then asked why she stayed with Cummings if, as she said, he dragged her around, threw her against a wall and choked her.
"I loved him," she said. "And he was better than where I was."
Lisa Croslin, took the stand and admitted that she had been a "terrible" mother.
Misty mouthed "I love you" as the elder Croslin left the stand.
