Man Investigating Haleigh Case Arrested

Deputies Say William Staubs Illegally Detained Man

Published On: Oct 13 2011 03:26:25 PM EDT  Updated On: May 22 2009 09:46:33 AM EDT

A South Florida bail bondsman who has been investigating the disappearance of 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings was arrested by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

William Staubs, 51, turned himself in Friday morning on charges of false imprisonment.

Putnam County Lt. Johnny Greenwood said Staubs is accused of illegally detaining 55-year-old William Snodgrass, a Putnam County man who was free on bail after a sex abuse arrest.

Greenwood said Staubs drove up to Snodgrass' house on March 20, turned on a siren and called Snodgrass out. Putnam County deputies said Snodgrass told Staubs that his bond was revoked, Staubs threw Snodgrass to the ground, handcuffed him and forced him into a vehicle.

After driving a short distance and making several telephone calls, Staubs reportedly turned around, drove Snodgrass back to his residence and released him.

Staubs is being held on $5,004 bond.

Deputies told Channel 4 that Staubs had previously bonded a Putnam County woman arrested on drug charges out of jail a few weeks ago, then had her bond revoked, took her to jail and called an Ocala radio station with a tip that a person of interest in the Haleigh Cummings case had been arrested.

Haleigh was reported missing Feb. 10 from the home in Satsuma where she lived with her father, younger brother and her father's girlfriend.

Anyone with information that could help solve Haleigh's case is asked to call Crimestoppers at 888-277-TIPS.

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