This just in from TJ Hart – Jan Barrett
A South Florida bondsman/private investigator/surety agent who was investigating the disappearance of a Putnam County girl when he was charged with false imprisonment of a suspected capital child sexual predator now claims a technicality could see his charges thrown out.
William “Cobra” Staubs was investigating the disappearance of missing 6-year-old Haleigh Cummings when a man came to the Haleigh Bug information center in Satsuma, FL in March causing trouble because the center politely refused his offer to give them furniture. Daniel Snodgrass was allegedly using foul language and shouting at the women at the center while children were present.
Snodgrass was out of jail awaiting trial at the time on a $70,000 bond. The 54-year-old Putnam County man is accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl and molesting her older sister.
According to Staubs, he had the paperwork and implied permission to pick up Snodgrass at his home, revoke his bond and take him to jail.
A short time after Staubs had handcuffed Snodgrass and forced him to the ground in the presence of Putnam County deputies, the man was allowed to go free.
A first charge against Staubs in the matter was dropped, but a second attempt resulted in Staubs’ surrender at the Putnam County jail, a release on bond and now a lengthy wait for his trial set for mid-December.
Staubs Friday asked his attorney to file the necessary paperwork alleging the state has violated his right to a fair and speedy trial after learning that prosecutors are wanting to move the trial to 2010.
According to Staubs, if the state cannot produce a case on his December 14, 2009 trial date, the case runs a good chance of being thrown out.
Regarding the missing child at the heart of all this:
Haleigh is described as a 5 year old white female. She is approximately 3’0, 39 lbs, blonde hair & brown eyes. Unknown clothing description.
Haleigh was last seen at her residence in the Hermit’s Cove area of Putnam County on February 9, 2009 between the hours of 8-10pm.
A statewide Amber Alert has been issued. An additional $30,000 in rewards have been posted.
If you have any information and wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477) or you can Text your tip by Texting “TIP231 plus your message†to CRIMES (274637).
Stay tuned for updates.Â
TJ Hart
11 users commented in " “Cobra” The Bounty Hunter: False Imprisonment Charges Could Get Thrown Out "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackGood news. Hope they throw this out and let Cobra go . He needs to get his job back to support himself. What gives on the Snodgrass case why has it taken so long to throw this pos in jail? They have all the evidence and statements made by the people involved, get it over with already before he hurts someone else.
I wonder if Misty ever had contact with this pos since he was in close proximatey? Just wondering who else he molested, experts say a so has many victims before he is caught. imho
Anyways I respect and believe in William Cobra Staubs. YOU ARE A HERO no one can take away what you have done for so many…..
The LEAST the state could do is dismiss this case. It appears to me that they are deliberately stalling just to keep Cobra’s license suspended, which only occurred because someone decided to file these charges – NOT from any wrong doing. By continuing to postpone this case, Cobra’s damages continue to escalate, keeping him from doing his regular work. This only serves two purposes: revenge for the jealous (PI-envy) and something for some bloggers to bitch about I guess bonding out a child rapist isn’t a good enough bitch topic?
Cobra – I hope the 12/14 hearing brings a good outcome and a Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Jan, for the update on Cobra’s legal situation. Are they still looking for that “special prosecutor” or do they have a new excuse for postponing this case until next year?
Tobias – I read from a news source that some of the documentation for the case against Snodgrass is “missing”. The judge who allowed this child rapist out on bail should be standing in Senator Huckaby’s shoes right how having to explain letting this pedophile out. I agree, Cobra is Haleigh’s hero! I guess no good dead goes unpunished.
How can documentation walk out on its own, one has to wonder? They did have some departmental problems reported with some of their officers and drugs. One was fired for it. They must have a corruption problem down there. Well, I hope the evidence they have for Halieghs case is under lock and key so it doesnt go missing.
jmo
The documentation on Snodgrass’s charges did not “vanish” like Haleigh supposedly did. One of the victims moved out of the trailer park if the court house docs are accurate.
Miss Jan, I appreciate your reports. You make it sound like 2010 is in the far distant future. It’s less than 4 weeks away.
I suss that the local authority will gladly let Mister Cobra’s case go to trial on December 14. Should Mister Cobra’s attourney not prevail before the magistrate, Mister Cobra would spend Christmas holiday in jail.
I wish no ill will for Mister Cobra. I think it was a stupid gamble that he and his attourney are doing.
Interesting to note the many “incidental” benefits that are piling up in favor of Snodgrass. First, bail for an (alleged) heinous crime against children; then it’s taking about 2 years for it to go to trial; then someone gives Snodgrass the inside scoop on Cobra’s relationship to the insurance company; then Cobra is arrested for arresting Snodgrass for about five minutes; then documentation in Snodgrass’s case goes missing.
Is there anyone of influence or power in Florida who is related to Snodgrass? Or maybe he has some “info” on someone with influence and power and is getting help that way?
SwampRomp: People are entitled to speedy trials (held within 180 days). Those additional 4 weeks exceed that. That’s the point.
Is there any information on what happened to HaLeigh and where she is now?
WinterRose: I think if there was any new information, there’d be a big article here and we’d all be blogging about it, don’t you?
I’m not a Cobra fan, but I do not believe he deserves to go to jail. He should also be allowed to continue his work.
If people insist on putting Cobra in jail, then Kim Picazio & Art Harris should also be facing the same fate, as they were all working together.
Good luck Cobra! You have really put yourself out there to find Haleigh and I think you should be applauded for your efforts and not arrested. I hope you continue to be free and rile some more feathers.
A hint of my theory: Tommy wasn’t banging on Misty’s door to see if she was home; he was doing it to see if she was sound asleep. He possibly may have given her something earlier in the day to help her get a good nights rest (my thought).
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