an independent investigation into the whereabouts of HaLeigh Cummings
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Minneapolis FBI receives names of Putnam County Sheriff’s Officers alleged to operate sex ring
Minneapolis FBI receives audio interview of HaLeigh Cummings investigator talking about murder
Arrests warrants for Ronald Cummings and Misty Croslin signed by circuit judge only hours after civil rights complaint filed with United States Attorney General Eric Holder East Grand Forks, MN, January 23, 2010: At 5:05 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2010, a copy of a 39-page civil rights and police corruption complaint with sworn affidavit, filed with United States Attorney General Eric Holder, was e-mailed by Timothy Charles Holmseth to ranking officers in the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Palatka, Florida. The complaint was against the PCSO and a member of the State’s Attorney’s office and accused specific people by name. Before the conclusion of business hours the very next day, arrest warrants for three of the victims and primary witnesses named in the complaint were requested by the Putnam County Sherriff’s Office – and granted.
Police corruption and RICO complaint filed against Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to United States Attorney General spawns sudden HaLeigh arrests A formal civil rights complaint to the office of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder generates sudden activity East Grand Forks, MN, January 20, 2010: A 39 page formal complaint filed by Investigative Reporter Timothy Charles Holmseth against the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to the Office of the United States Attorney General on Monday appears to have prompted a sudden barrage of arrests in Putnam County, where Ronald Cummings, Misty Croslin Cummings, Tommy Croslin, and Donna Broch were all taken into custody, only two days later. “I hope our nation sits down and carefully watches and analyzes what is happening here because this was no coincidence. This is business as usual in Putnam County, Florida,” Holmseth said. “After almost an entire year these arrests are made after someone confronts Putnam County officials for violating the federal RICO statutes. This sheriff’s department does not take into custody the very door HaLeigh’s abductor used to enter her father’s house and lift her from her bed, but they can find drugs on anyone, anytime, anywhere.” The complaint, which Holmseth says is factually backed by digital audio recording of interviews conducted over the span of 10 months, directly names PCSO Major Gary Bowling, Capt. Dominic Piscatello, Detective Peggy Cone and State’s Attorney Joseph Boatwright. Others implicated are Florida Attorney Kim Picazio, William ‘COBRA’ Staubs, Jeremiah Regan, and John Regan. “I received a very nice letter from the Office of Governor Charlie Crist today,” Holmseth said. “The governor assured me he is concerned for the safety of all Floridians and I am confident that also includes these four people, who deserve their day in court with reasonable bond, so America can finally learn about the dark secrets of Putnam County, Florida, and healing may begin”
PCSO Major Gary Bowling says FBI and FDLE are helping PCSO cover-up fake HaLeigh Cummings search High ranking PCSO officer says concealing the facts and circumstances surrounding the staged secondary crime-scene is a calculated plan East Grand Forks, MN, December 26, 2009: Major Gary Bowling, a senior officer in the search for missing child HaLeigh Cummings says the FBI and FDLE are providing over-sight to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the continued covering-up of a fake search and staged secondary crime-scene on March 22, 2009, that made HaLeigh Cummings appear dead, or taken far away, is part of a calculated plan. The fake search was created by the maternal family, a private investigator, a law enforcement impersonator, and a public relations specialist. Found at the fake search were (1) glove (with red stains,) (2) piece of a nebulizer (HaLeigh used a nebulizer), (3) suitcase, (4) map/bus schedule, (5) man’s sock, (6) car keys. “We are guarded and covered and work well with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI and numerous other agencies,” Bowling said. “Obviously they had, ya’ know, a person like that would ya’ know maybe have some sort of a personal agenda.” Major Gary Bowling did not give details on why the participants of the fake search were not questioned by law enforcement.
HaLeigh Cummings and Misty Croslin were four inches away from each other, sleeping Sheffield family private investigator told Timothy Charles Holmseth he could be “assassinated “if he released the information - others would be “executed easily” East Grand Forks, MN, December 13, 2009: On July 9, 2009, Timothy Charles Holmseth conducted an anniversary interview with Sheffield family private investigator William ‘Cobra’ Staubs. Staubs was under contract with Attorney Kim Picazio, as well as HaLeigh’s maternal grandfather, John ‘Marty’ Sheffield, simultaneously. Staubs told Holmseth he had a “major, major, major story,” but did not know how to safely get it out. “Please, for God’s sake, do not quote me on this,” Staubs pleads on the recording. “All these words came from [Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Detective] Peggy Cone’s mouth,” he said. Staubs repeatedly told Holmseth he could be “assassinated” for releasing the information and others could be “executed easily.” “Don’t give a shit where Misty said she was sleeping in the news this that and the other – the police have rolled it down to this – she was in the bed with HaLeigh – they were in the same bed – that is what the police know – these are facts that the police know, she was in the bed with HaLeigh; four inches away - not four feet away,” Staubs said. The knowledge of HaLeigh’s exact proximity to Misty Croslin, down to the inches, is knowledge that would only be known by the person who lifted the child from the bed and the PCSO has known it since the beginning. The situational fact also debunks the many sinister theories the PCSO leaked to the media about Croslin and the child, such as the child over-dosing on oxycontin at a wild party, her dead body being bagged up, and thrown into a pond – something PCSO detectives said might have happened. Holmseth has contacted the FBI, FDLE, PCSO, Putnam County Board of Commissioners, State’s Attorney Office, Office of the Governor, and the Attorney General of the State of Florida in effort to expose what was happening, while trying to protect innocent human life. Holmseth was threatened with jail and lawsuit by PCSO Major Gary Bowling after Holmseth confronted the PCSO. Holmseth has conducted approximately sixty hours of interviews since April, 2009, as well as received material that he will not disclose or make public without legal counsel. “Misty Croslin is a red herring being used by the PCSO to conceal the identity of the person(s) who actually abducted HaLeigh Cummings,” Holmseth said. “The federal authorities need to seize complete control of this criminal charade.”
Minnesota reporter possess audio interview that proves where Misty Croslin and HaLeigh Cummings were the night the child disappeared Timothy Charles Holmseth was told people would be killed if anyone found who secretly taped PCSO Detective Peggy Cone - kept it secret for months East Grand Forks, MN, December 10, 2009: Minnesota reporter Timothy Charles Holmseth possess an audio recoding of an interview he conducted in the summer of 2009 that proves exactly where Misty Croslin and HaLeigh Cummings were on the night the child disappeared. The information comes from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and proves that office knows where Croslin and the child were the night the child vanished. Holmseth was told that several people would be “executed” if the identity of the person(s) who secretly recorded PCSO Detective Peggy Cone was revealed. “The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has told the media they do not know where Misty Croslin was the night HaLeigh disappeared. “The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is going to have a thousand questions they cannot answer when I release this audio to the American public,” Holmseth said. “I dare PCSO Lt. Johnny Greenwood to issue another press release stating the PCSO does not know where Misty Croslin and HaLeigh Cummings were that night. I dare him.”
HaLeigh Cummings’ paternal and maternal grandmothers request FBI take complete control of the missing child investigation Teresa Neves and Marie Griffis call for FBI to investigate the PCSO – want federal authorities to take over case to find their missing granddaughter East Grand Forks, MN, December 11, 2009: The grandmothers of HaLeigh Ann-Marie Cummings are requesting the FBI seize control of the investigation into the disappearance and whereabouts of their granddaughter, now six years-old, who has been missing for over ten months. HaLeigh’s paternal grandmother, Teresa Neves, said she wants Governor Charlie Crist to bring in the FBI. “Ten months is a very long time to go without any answers,” Neves said. “We have heard many stories and theories but have nothing, absolutely nothing, from anyone in LE who has worked this case.” HaLeigh’s maternal grandmother, Marie Griffis, said a federal probe is needed because HaLeigh was abducted from a jurisdiction that is extremely corrupted. “There are a lot of things that get misplaced and disappear in Putnam County and will never be found, that includes people, that is what is so terrifying about HaLeigh's disappearance,” Griffis said. Neves and Griffis have stated they will not stop fighting until HaLeigh is returned.
Sheffield family private investigator announces plan to join Rev. Richard Grund and Attorney Kim Picazio in multi-party law-suit William ‘COBRA’ Staubs said the law-suit will be aimed at publications, private investigators, and others East Grand Forks, MN, October 18, 2009: Ft. Lauderdale Private Investigator William ‘COBRA’ Staubs announced today on the Blogger News Network the intent to bring the multi-party law-suit. “The defendants will include, but not be limited to a certain national publication, an investigator or two, and a host of other[s]…,” Staubs said. “We have one of the largest law firms in America,” he added. Kim Picazio represented Crystal Sheffield, mother of missing child HaLeigh Cummings, until July, 2009. Rev. Richard Grund is the father of Jesse Grund - former fiancé of Casey Anthony, Orlando. Anthony is charged with the murder of her daughter Caylee.
HaLeigh Cummings sighting and suspicious activity not investigated by any law enforcement New information on two South Carolina HaLeigh incidents suggest Putnam County Sheriff’s Department press releases contain false information East Grand Forks, MN, October 14, 2009: Further investigation into two police reports filed regarding missing child HaLeigh Cummings reveals disturbing discrepancies in what has been reported to the media by law enforcement. On October 13, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department issued a press release that stated in part: “Recently, two sightings -- one each in Georgia and South Carolina -- were reported. There was videotape evidence for one of the sightings. However, the girl in the video was confirmed to be someone other than HaLeigh Cummings,” the press release said. On October 14, Write Into Action contacted both the Goodwill Emporium, North Augusta, South Carolina, and the Tiger Express Gas Station, Brunson, South Carolina, regarding a HaLeigh sighting and suspicious activity at those businesses. Police reports were filed to law enforcement by a Georgia woman living close to the South Carolina border who provided detailed information. Neither business had ever been contacted by any law enforcement, nor was any video requested. Brian Grady, management, Goodwill Emporium, said he was not aware of anything whatsoever. “I called the police department [in North Augusta] and they weren’t aware of anything,” Grady said, somewhat confused. On February 10, 2009, the day HaLeigh Cummings disappeared, a customer at Grady’s business reported seeing two women and a man purchasing shoes and clothes for a child named “HaLeigh.” One of the customers told the cashier she had just been approved to provide foster care and was going to be taking a relative’s child who had special needs. Grady said some his stores have cameras but no video was requested of him. “I know who you’re talking about because I watch the news,” he said. A detailed sighting of HaLeigh Cummings at the Tiger Express in Brunson on April 26 was also reported to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. Marlene Fail, shift manager, Tiger Express, said, “No, we haven’t heard anything.” Fail said Tiger Express has surveillance cameras but no video was ever requested and they had not been contacted by any law enforcement.
Six complaints filed against Putnam County Sherriff’s Department in HaLeigh Cummings disappearance Investigative reporter files six complaints against PCSD investigators for documented acts of misconduct – refusal to investigate participants in staged secondary crime scene East Grand Forks, MN, September 28, 2009: Six formal detailed complaints against Putnam County Sheriff’s Department officers have been filed by Timothy Charles Holmseth, an investigative reporter from Minnesota. The notarized complaints were emailed to PCSD Sheriff Jeff Hardy, FDLE, FBI, and Florida DCF. The allegations of misconduct range from refusal to investigate to threats made against a reporter. “The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department is intimately aware of a bogus secondary crime scene that was created on March 22, 2009, at San Mateo, Florida. The scene was created by HaLeigh’s maternal side of the family and rendered seven items of planted evidence, including a glove that HaLeigh’s grandpa, Johnny ‘Marty’ Sheffield, insisted had blood on it. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives blatantly dismissed the evidence, the search, and the participants involved. No explanation has ever been given for why this fake crime scene was created,” Holmseth said. “The child’s grandma, Marie Griffis, provided a purse that she said belonged to HaLeigh, for the dog to track. Found at the search were some Fisher Price toys, part of a nebulizer, glove, a suitcase with a map, men’s socks, and set of car keys that belonged to Kristina ‘Nay Nay’ Prevatt. There is something very wrong going on here and Putnam County detectives need to explain it.”
Florida law enforcement agencies receive two sworn statements regarding the whereabouts of HaLeigh Cummings Sworn statements claim Attorney Kim Picazio was aware of HaLeigh Cummings’ welfare as late as June, 2009 – describes other criminal activity by the Florida attorney East Grand Forks, MN, September 26, 2009: The sworn statements of Karen Simmer and Timothy Charles Holmseth have been faxed to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. In Karen Simmer’s statement she details her relationship with Crystal Sheffield’s attorney, Kim Picazio, in May and June of 2009. In her sworn statement, Simmer said Picazio told her that HaLeigh Cummings was not in Satsuma, and wherever HaLeigh was she would bet she was “healthy, well fed, and growing.” Holmseth said in his statement he made a report to the Attorney General of the State of Florida in June of 2009 regarding a plan he learned Picazio allegedly had to have Misty Croslin-Cummings and Gregory Lewis Page falsely charged. Picazio’s plan was relayed to Holmseth by John ‘Marty’ Sheffield’s private investigator. William Eugene ‘COBRA’ Staubs, and Donald Knop, Picazio’s brother-in-law. The sworn statements have also been sent to authorities at the Florida department of Law Enforcement.
Florida authorities request sworn statement and documents from Illinois woman regarding ‘HaLeigh Alive’ statement made by Attorney Kim Picazio The former team member reported in June that Picazio claimed knowledge of HaLeigh Cummings’ welfare – child healthy, well fed, and growing. East Grand Forks, MN, September 24, 2009: Two Florida law enforcement agencies contacted Karen Simmer today and requested information from her. Simmer was contacted by Lt. Peter Warren, Florida Department of Law Enforcement this morning – he asked her to send him all of the email correspondences she had with Attorney Picazio and Marie Griffis, the mother of Crystall Sheffield. The emails support Simmer’s claims Picazio asked her to commit criminal acts. Simmer advised Warren that all of her documents had been given to Timothy Charles Holmseth after someone had attempted to hack her computer and she would ask Holmseth to provide the FDLE with the emails. A few hours later, Simmer said she was contacted by Captain Dominic Piscatello of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. “He requested a sworn affidavit. I will prepare it, have it notarized, and fax it,” Simmer said. Simmer issued a verbal challenge to PCSD Major Gary Bowling yesterday, which was posted on You Tube by Timothy Charles Holmseth. The challenge was the result of Simmer’s extreme frustration, because she made her report about HaLeigh being alive way back in June, and had never heard back from anyone. John Harrell, Florida DCF, confirmed Simmer’s June report regarding Picazio, and said it was immediately passed on to PCSD. Simmer also called the FBI, FDLE, Florida BAR, US Attorney’s office, and the Opa Locka police when Picazio made the statement to her. Simmer said she believes HaLeigh is alive and this is a positive development. Holmseth said he will cooperate with authorities regarding the document request made by FDLE. PCSD Chief Deputy Rick Ryan said today that the PCSD is of the mind set HaLeigh is alive and will pursue it as such.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department threatens investigative reporter with arrest High ranking officer at PCSD demands Timothy Charles Holmseth stop reporting on PCSD activities with HaLeigh Cummings investigation East Grand Forks, MN, September 20, 2009: On Friday, September 18, 2009, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department Major Gary Bowling told Rebecca Thomas, child advocate to HaLeigh Cummings, to pass a message to Timothy Charles Holmseth, owner, Write Into Action. Bowling told her to tell Holmseth that if he published any more material Bowling didn’t like he would have charges brought against Holmseth; and sue him. Bowling had been in a three-way conference call with Thomas and Teresa Neves, grandmother of HaLeigh Cummings, and angrily confronted Thomas after Neves dropped off the line. “Why would Major Gary Bowling ask me to tell him when I last spoke with Timothy Holmseth, and then ask me to relay a message to Timothy that if he doesn’t stop publishing information, he’s going to have charges brought against him – and sue him?” Thomas asked, rhetorically. “I told him to contact Holmseth him self if he has something to say to him,” she said. Holmseth has conducted over a hundred hours of interviews in matters surrounding the HaLeigh Cummings disappearance. Holmseth has published 16 news pieces, several detailed complaints to the FBI, Florida BAR, State’s Attorney General Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and Florida DCF. He began investigating the HaLeigh Cummings case as a reporter after being contacted by Crystal Sheffield’s attorney’s (Kim Picazio) private investigator, William ‘Cobra’ Staubs, and Staubs’ colleague, Rev. Richard Grund, in April of 2009. Holmseth, a winner of first-place awards from the North Dakota Newspaper Association, has never once received a cease and desist letter, demand for retraction, clarification, or any other legal admonishment regarding his reporting and publishing. “William Staubs called me and asked me to write about what was really going on in the investigation. Cobra Staubs doesn’t like me anymore either, what does that tell you,” Holmseth said. “I am a father, and the person inside me that needs to sleep at night just cannot hold the things I’ve learned,” he said. Holmseth has filed a formal complaint to Sheriff Jeff Hardy against Bowling, and requested a formal legal position from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department regarding the threats made against him per his publication, www.writeintoaction.com.
You Tube contacted after public hears Crystal Sheffield’s private investigator discussing a criminal solicitation he received from a lawyer in HaLeigh Cummings case The legally recorded interview published by Timothy Charles Holmseth exposed the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department for egregious acts of police mis-conduct – a plot to implicate Greg Page – and a plan to falsely arrest Misty Croslin-Cummings East Grand Forks, MN, September 16, 2009: Shortly after publishing a You Tube video of a July 4, 2009, interview with Crystal Sheffield’s former private investigator, William ‘Cobra’ Staubs, Timothy Charles Holmseth received notice from You Tube that a “privacy” complaint had been received. The interview Holmseth published exposed an alleged criminal solicitation made to Staubs by Sheffield’s former attorney, Kim Picazio in the spring of 2009. Staubs said he reported the crime to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. “I walked right into Dominic Piscatello’s office and said, I need to speak to the captain,” Staubs said, explaining the police report he made that was never followed up on. Staubs said he made the report to Piscatello’s sergeant. ““You’ll make $35,000 and go away. Misty will go to jail. Three days later you’re a f - - - in hero,” Staubs said, paraphrasing Picazio. Staubs said Picazio told him that PSCD Detective Peggy Cone advised her that if she could get Misty Croslin-Cummings in jail for three days, the police could make the 17 year-old talk. Holmseth does not know who made the complaint to You Tube. “I really doubt this is about someone’s picture being shown,” Holmseth said. “This was the first time I ever used any audio of someone from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. I asked Major Gary Bowling several times politely on the phone to please provide me a written summary of the complaint he was responding to me about. He refused to give me anything in writing so I had to go with the audio,” Holmseth said. The video has been amended and is still available for public viewing. “None of the audio has been changed. I wish I could put some audio up of HaLeigh Cummings’ voice telling her daddy and grandma how glad she is to see them again – that’s what this is all about,” Holmseth said. “I sure hope this complaint wasn’t filed by the PCSO. I really think they have other things they should be focusing on right now,” Holmseth concluded.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department suffers another credibility blow in HaLeigh Cummings investigation New information reveals Crystal Sheffield’s attorney, Kim Picazio, may have collaborated with PCSO Detective Peggy Cone to have Misty Croslin-Cummings falsely arrested through criminal solicitation of false statements – the crime was reported to police East Grand Forks, MN, September 15, 2009: A just-released media interview from July 4, 2009, reveals Crystal Sheffield’s attorney, Kim Picazio, solicited her private investigator, William ‘Cobra’ Staubs, to ask Gregory Lewis Page to make false statements to the police regarding the whereabouts of Misty Croslin the night HaLeigh Cummings disappeared. The interview reveals that Staubs actually reported Picazio’s crime to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and it went un-filed and completely ignored. Donald Knop, brother-in-law of Kim Picazio, was present when the solicitation was made to Staubs, and when it was reported to the police. Staubs said Picazio was told by lead detective Peggy Cone that they needed to jail Croslin for three days to make her talk. Picazio’s wanted Staubs was to convince Page to claim he was with Croslin the night HaLeigh Cummings disappeared – the bait to be used was the $35,000 reward.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department will not investigate credible HaLeigh Cummings lead HaLeigh Cummings’ grandma, Marie Griffis, says Picazio’s knowledge of HaLeigh’s welfare comes from Ronald Cummings’ family – never trusted Picazio East Grand Forks, MN, September 13, 2009: Putnam County investigators never questioned Kim Picazio, (former) attorney of Crystal Sheffield, after their department received multiple reports Picazio said she had knowledge of HaLeigh’s location and welfare status. John Harrell, public information officer, Florida DCF, said his department alerted investigators at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office immediately in June after a DCF investigator received a distressed call from Karen Simmer, a member of Picazio’s private team at the time. In an email dated June 27, 2009 obtained by Write Into Action, HaLeigh’s grandma, Marie Griffis, discussed Picazio’s statement and told Simmer that Picazio’s knowledge must have come from Ronald Cummings and his family. “If she has information like that about HaLeigh then she is with Ron and his family. Everything [Picazio] has done is fishy to me,” Griffis said. “[I} got some more information I gave to the police yesterday and if it pans out [Picazio] just might be in [jail]. I knew Kim was up to no good from about the second week she was there in Satsuma. I think she’s playing both sides of the fence” Griffis said. Florida DCF has confirmed that the report regarding Attorney Picazio was made – PCSO will not discuss it.
Why does Putnam County Sherriff’s Office blatantly refuse to discuss the HaLeigh Cummings case? Public concern growing after possible HaLeigh sighting does not curve policy of secrecy at PCSO - bizarre media release announces silence will continue East Grand Forks, MN, September 8, 2009: A possible sighting of HaLeigh Cummings in a Massachusetts Wal-Mart last week has not caused a break in the silence at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. In a news release issued by Lt. Johnny Greenwood, the PCSO said they “will not be participating in any formal interviews or providing statements regarding the events of the past weekend at this time.” “There is a six year-old little girl with special needs missing and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department can not even step up to a microphone after months and months of silence?” said Rebecca Thomas, child advocate of HaLeigh Cummings. “Sheriff Jeff Hardy, I am challenging you to step up to a microphone, hold up HaLeigh’s photograph, point out the peanut-shaped birthmark on her left cheek, and beg America to help you find HaLeigh. She needs to come home now.” Thomas said the fashion of silence America has seen from the PCSO is no longer explainable. “As all I hear from them when I call is we are working night and day on this case,” Thomas said. “If that’s true, why did it take three weeks, multiple calls, argumentative officers, and a call to the Governor by me to finally get HaLeigh’s birthmark added to her Amber Alert information?” Thomas said the lead detective on the case, Peggy Cone, advised her that they had the information “in their files.” “How is that supposed to help the American public help find HaLeigh?”” Thomas asked.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department refuses to confirm or deny ‘HaLeigh Alive’ report made to them by DCF in June DCF spokesman said the report that Crystal Sheffield’s attorney, Kim Picazio had implied HaLeigh was healthy and growing, was reported to PCSD in June Former team member says Picazio once referred to herself, Cobra Staubs, Art Harris, Jeremiah Regan, and John Regan as the “dream team” East Grand Forks, MN, September 6, 2009: John Harrell, public information officer, DCF, said a Florida Department of Children and Families investigator reported the ‘HaLeigh Alive’ claim ‘immediately.’ The claim was made to the DCF all the way back in June. The report was called in by Karen Simmer, Illinois, who told a DCF investigator Crystal Sheffield’s (now former) attorney told her HaLeigh was healthy, well fed, and growing. “We’ve been working in good faith with [the PCSO],” Harrell said. Simmer also reported Picazio’s alleged statements to the FBI, America’s Most Wanted, FDLE for missing children, US Attorney’s office, and other agencies. PCSO Jeff Hardy will not confirm or deny whether or not the report came in to his office from DCF. A former team member who has suffered abuse and retaliation from Picazio’s gang said Picazio discussed movie deals and motions pictures, and referred to herself, Cobra Staubs, Art Harris, Jeremiah Regan, and John Regan, as the ‘”dream team.’”
Florida DCF reported ‘HaLeigh Alive’ statement to Putnam County Sheriff’s Department A report made in June to Florida DCF that Crystal Sheffield’s attorney, Kim Picazio, implied HaLeigh Cummings was alive and well was reported by DCF to the sheriff’s office handling the case East Grand Forks, MN, September 3, 2009: John Harrell, public information officer, DCF, said a Florida Department of Children and Families investigator did in fact receive a child welfare status report on HaLeigh Cummings in June. The report was made by Karen Simmer, Illinois, who told them Crystal Sheffield’s (now former) attorney told her HaLeigh was healthy, well fed, and growing. “[Our investigator] did pass along that lead.” Harrell said. The information was sent to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department to be investigated. “We’ve been working in good faith with them,” Harrell said. Simmer also reported Picazio’s alleged statements to the FBI, America’s Most Wanted, FDLE for missing children, US Attorney’s office, and other agencies. “Putnam County Sheriff’s and FDLE are in the lead as far as any efforts to find HaLeigh,” Harrell said. The progress and status of the report after reaching the PCSD is not known. Harrell said DCF adhered to policies and protocols and they very much hope HaLeigh is found. “We take this case very seriously,” he said. Karen Simmer says she would like to take a polygraph and challenges Kim Picazio to do the same.
Formal complaint filed against lead detective in HaLeigh Cummings case Former attorney of Crystal Sheffield says Lead Detective Peggy Cone shared sensitive forensic evidence; PCSD never investigated HaLeigh’s maternal family in disappearance East Grand Forks, MN, September 2, 2009: A formal complaint was filed yesterday against the lead detective on the HaLeigh Cummings investigation. The complaint was filed by Investigative Reporter Timothy Charles Holmseth to PSCD Sheriff Jeff Hardy. The complaint is based upon first-hand statements made by Florida Attorney Kim Picazio to Holmseth during secured interviews. The complaint alleges that Picazio told Holmseth that PCSD Detective Peggy Cone shared sensitive investigative information with the attorney of Crystal Sheffield, allowed her access to forensic evidence, and never investigated the maternal side of the missing child’s family as suspects in the child’s sudden disappearance. Picazio recited to Holmseth detailed stakeout information regarding a man named Gregory Lewis Page who had been under police surveillance early in the investigation. Picazio told Holmseth she saw private cell phone records and discussed photographs law enforcement had taken of the crime-scene. Karen Simmer, Galesburg, Illinois, was a member of Picazio’s team and said Picazio told her she and Cone were “like sisters.” The complaint says Cone has compromised the HaLeigh Cummings investigation because if any leads ever point in the direction of the maternal side of the family, as in a family abduction to illegally change custody, the PCSD will not follow those leads, because they will then have to explain to America why that family’s very attorney was a member of the investigation.
Florida DCF receives official complaint against two of its employees in HaLeigh Cummings case Florida DCF employee received tip that Crystal Sheffield’s former attorney, Kim Picazio, claimed to know HaLeigh Cummings’ welfare in May of 2009, and no investigation is known to have been conducted. DCF employee discussed Ronald Cummings file with Bounty Hunter William ‘Cobra’ Staubs over the telephone from home East Grand Forks, MN, August 31, 2009: John Harrell, Florida DCF, has received a complaint filed by Timothy Charles Holmseth regarding a DCF agent’s alleged failure to investigate a child welfare report she received regarding HaLeigh Cummings; a child subject to an active Amber Alert. Harrell interviewed Holmseth Monday after receiving a detailed written complaint last week. The complaint alleges a report was made to a Florida DCF agent that Kim Picazio, the former attorney of Crystal Sheffield, advised one of her team members that HaLeigh Cummings was not in Satsuma, and guessed out loud that wherever she is, she is healthy, well fed, and growing. Karen Simmer, Galesburg, Illinois, says Picazio suggested HaLeigh was fine and the objective of the team was to obtain custody of Ronald Cummings Jr. Holmseth also advised Harrell in the interview that he quietly listened in to several conversations between Bounty Hunter William ‘Cobra’ Staubs and a DCF employee who discussed the Cummings file over the phone from her home. A You Tube video is available that shows emails and phone records proving the relationship between Simmer and Picazio – it also shows an email wherein Picazio tries to pretend to not know Simmer. Simmer said she will take a polygraph on the matter, and is challenging Florida Kim Picazio to do the same. ‘I have nothing to hide,” Simmer said. “The question is will [Kim Picazio] do one? I’m ready right now.”
Florida DCF receives official complaint against two of its employees in HaLeigh Cummings case Florida DCF employee received tip that Crystal Sheffield’s former attorney, Kim Picazio, claimed to know HaLeigh Cummings’ welfare in May of 2009, and no investigation is known to have been conducted DCF employee discussed Ronald Cummings file with Bounty Hunter William ‘Cobra’ Staubs over the telephone from home East Grand Forks, MN, August 31, 2009: John Harrell, Florida DCF, has received a complaint filed by Timothy Charles Holmseth regarding a DCF agent’s alleged failure to investigate a child welfare report she received regarding HaLeigh Cummings; a child subject to an active Amber Alert. Harrell interviewed Holmseth Monday after receiving a detailed written complaint last week. The complaint alleges a report was made to a Florida DCF agent that Kim Picazio, the former attorney of Crystal Sheffield, advised one of her team members that HaLeigh Cummings was not in Satsuma, and guessed out loud that wherever she is, she is healthy, well fed, and growing. Karen Simmer, Galesburg, Illinois, says Picazio suggested HaLeigh was fine and the objective of the team was to obtain custody of Ronald Cummings Jr. Holmseth also advised Harrell in the interview that he quietly listened in to several conversations between Bounty Hunter William ‘Cobra’ Staubs and a DCF employee who discussed the Cummings file over the phone from her home. A You Tube video is available that shows emails and phone records proving the relationship between Simmer and Picazio – it also shows an email wherein Picazio tries to pretend to not know Simmer. Simmer said she will take a polygraph on the matter, and is challenging Florida Kim Picazio to do the same. ‘I have nothing to hide,” Simmer said. “The question is will [Kim Picazio] do one? I’m ready right now.”
HaLeigh Cummings investigation completely compromised by lead detective on case PCSD Detective Peggy Cone allowed Crystal Sheffield’s former attorney, Kim Picazio, onto the HaLeigh Cummings Investigative Task Force and shared with her highly sensitive forensic information and confidential leads without ever investigating Picazio’s client Putnam County Sheriff’s Department simply ‘cannot’ investigate the other family because the other family’s attorney was part of the Investigative Task Force East Grand Forks, MN, August 30, 2009: In May of 2009, Florida Attorney Kim Picazio told the media she held an investigative role with the HaLeigh Cummings Investigative Task Force, working with PCSD Detective Peggy Cone. This public claim by Picazio places her on the “inside” of an investigation that should have been viewing her client as a possible suspect. In May of 2009, during an interview with Investigative Reporter Timothy Charles Holmseth (Write Into Action), Picazio said, “What is great is I get to get those leads on the missing child’s case so I get to assist law enforcement. Call Peggy Cone and ask her what she thinks of me. Call anyone you want in law enforcement,” she said. “Would you like to know the great leads were investigating,” she asked. “There’s so much fantastic news about the search for HaLeigh, witnesses, dangerous meetings with POI’s (persons of interest.) Wouldn’t you rather report about the real stuff,” she asked. Picazio stated on the May 8 airing of the Jane Valez Mitchell show on the HLN network that her client was not a suspect and “the cops have not even gone out to investigate her house.” In an interview with Holmseth, she said, “A month after me getting in the case I had to give [the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department] the address of [Crystal Sheffield’s] house [because] they hadn’t been there yet,” she said. Picazio telephoned a radio talk show on the Blogger News Network on May 24 and boasted about her investigative role with the PCSD. “They’ve done an amazing sophisticated forensic job,” Picazio said. “Rarely have I mentioned a person or item of evidence that they have not done thoroughly – even by the FBI,” she said. Picazio told Holmseth she had seen people’s telephone records that the FBI had obtained. Picazio provided Holmseth with detailed law enforcement stake-out information that had been obtained early in the investigation when suspects were being watched. Picazio told an Illinois woman named Karen Simmer, whom she had invited onto her team that she and Detective Peggy Cone were “like sisters.” Picazio’s private investigator, William ‘Cobra’ Staubs said Picazio obtained sensitive investigative information at a time PCSD was telling the mainstream media that “all the world’s a suspect.” Staubs said Picazio made him play “little guessing game[s],” before she’d tell him what she found out. Picazio told Holmseth she had a lot of secrets she couldn’t tell yet because law enforcement asked her not to. Picazio, according to Staubs, stopped taking clients at her law office in Ft. Lauderdale, left her husband and children for significant periods of time, and rented a small house near Satsuma out of which she would conduct her ‘investigation.’ “We are working diligently,” Picazio said on-air. Picazio never filed a court motion pertaining to her client, Crystal Sheffield. Picazio described intimate details to Holmseth of extensive conversations she had with many different members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and State’s Attorney’s office, including PCSD Detective Ken Taylor, State’s Attorney Joseph Boatwright, and Detective Peggy Cone. No evidence exists to show the Sheffield/Griffis side of the missing child’s family was ever suspected or investigated in HaLeigh’s sudden disappearance. Picazio’s client owed thousands and thousands of dollars in child-support arrears at the time of the disappearance, and had just been notified she must appear in court and face sanctions, which could include jail time. Since that time, Crystal Sheffield’s child-support obligation has been completely satisfied by an unknown stranger and the public does not know where the money came from. Holmseth believes the PCSD will continue to distract the public with the incomplete timeline of Misty (Croslin) Cummings, which has become the proverbial red herring in the HaLeigh Cummings case that exhausts the media, but never ultimately leads to the child. Holmseth believes the lead detective and other members of the PCSD have compromised the entire investigation through their un-ethical associations, un-professional conduct, and possible corruption. “I’m trying to figure for the life of me how a tight-lipped police agency such as Putnam County Sheriff’s Office would share forensic details with a civil attorney,” Staubs said. Holmseth is preparing a detailed formal complaint against the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and is requesting the federal authorities completely take over the irreparably botched investigation.
Florida DCF receives formal complaint in HaLeigh Cummings investigation Former team member of Kim Picazio says the Florida attorney, who once represented Crystal Sheffield, told her she believes HaLeigh Cummings is alive, well, and growing East Grand Forks, MN, August 29, 2009: A former member of Kim Picazio’s team has stated publicly that the Florida attorney told her in May, 2009, that HaLeigh Cummings was alive, well, and growing. “When I had mentioned HaLeigh, [Kim] says, ‘’listen, HaLeigh isn’t in Satsuma, and I’ll bet you wherever HaLeigh is, she is healthy, well fed and growing,’” Karen Simmer said, recalling the conversation. Picazio was the attorney for HaLeigh Cummings’ mother, Crystal Sheffield at the time. Simmer, a housewife from Galesburg, Illinois, said Picazio also asked her to telephone Florida DCF, claim she was from Florida, and make false claims against Ronald Cummings. Write Into Action has obtained all of Simmer’s May and June telephone records, which demonstrate the Illinois woman did in fact have extensive communications with Picazio’s law office and personal cell phone. Write Into Action has also acquired a litany of emails exchanged between the law office of Kim Picazio and Simmer that further show the two were communicating regarding Piczio’s bid for custody of Ronald Cummings Jr. Picazio provided Simmer with names and contact information of DCF employees. Simmer said Picazio told her she had people on the “inside” at DCF. When contacted by Write Into Action about Simmer, Picazio said, “Who the heck is Karen Simmer?” When the event occurred in May, Simmer reported the incident immediately to Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, FDLE, DCF, America’s Most Wanted, Florida BAR Association, US Department of Justice, US Attorney’s office, Opa Locka Police Department, and the FBI.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Refuses to correct incomplete Amber Alert information Several ranking members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office have been asked to update Amber Alert information to include predominant facial birthmark, and they refuse East Grand Forks, MN, August 29, 2009: A very visible birthmark in the shape of a peanut on HaLeigh Cummings’ face is not pointed out in the official Amber Alert information available to the public. Rebecca Thomas, child advocate, West Palm Beach, Florida, has been contacting officials in Putnam County for the past two weeks in effort to have them add the information about the birthmark on HaLeigh’s face to the official Amber Alert. Thomas said she has been a getting a “run around” by officials to the point that it is beginning to strike her as extremely odd behavior. “The first thing they ask everyone to do after an Amber Alert is released is ‘take a look at this child’s face. Stare at her face.’ But in this case, they have not told the public to watch for that birthmark that screams, “I’m HaLeigh!!!” Thomas said, angrily. Thomas said in the past two weeks she has made call after call to the PCSD and FDLE and kindly asked them to update the information that has been inaccurate since day one. “That single mark makes HaLeigh stand out from all other children in a mall or a playground or a gas station, and they won’t update it so people will watch for it,” she said. Thomas said she spoke with the lead detective on the case, PCSD Peggy Cone. “Peggy Cone told me they have the information in their file.” Thomas said. “How does that help the public help law enforcement find HaLeigh,” she continued, disgusted. Thomas said she called and left a message for PCSD Sheriff Jeff Hardy, and PCSD Major Gary Bowling called her back. Thomas asked Bowling to please update the Amber Alert to include the birthmark. She advised Bowling she had spoke with many people in the PCSD and FDLE. She told him that the FDLE Tallahassee office had advised her that they needed Putnam County’s permission to change it. Bowling then told Thomas FDLE didn’t need Putnam’s permission. She explained to him they do in fact need permission. Bowling then said he would give permission but told Thomas, “do not call FDLE in Tallahassee again.” Thomas then proceeded to call the Office of Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “It would not take more than five minutes to make this update,” Thomas said. As of this date the Amber Alert information has not been changed to alert the public to the very unique facial birthmark that HaLeigh has on her left cheek. Write Into Action attempted to contact PCSD Lt. Johnny Greenwood and Hardy with no response.
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