Jailed Puppeteer Known As the " Cotton Candy Man" and " Snow Cone Man" to Local Kids
By Erin Maloney
LARGO -- The pastor at Gulf Coast Church in Largo said families are reeling after learning about church member and volunteer Ron Brown. He was arrested and charged with conspiring to kidnap a child, and possession of child pornography. Dozens of parents trusted Brown to bring their children to church every Wednesday. Anthony Cummings said he would even feed the boys pizza before heading to church. Anthony's mother Lexis said it was innocent enough until she learned about his arrest. Authorities say Brown chatted online with one man about his fantasy to strangle and eat a child's body. Thirteen-year-old Cummings says he thought he could trust the puppeteer. "He seemed like a nice guy, but looks can be deceiving," he said. "Every now and then I think he was trying to get to me. Every time he'd be pulling out the pizza he'd pull out, scoot closer to me. Pull out, scoot closer to me. Reach over me. Like reach around me and give me the pizza." Children in the neighborhood say Brown never abused them in any way. Phylis Miceli said she felt comfortable sending her grandson Michael with him because Brown was known as the "cotton candy" and "snow cone man." He often handed out treats to neighborhood kids. "It's a false sense of security thinking your children will be okay, they can get on the bike and ride through the community, and they're not," said Miceli. The pastor at Gulf Coast Church said there are no words to describe the shock its community is feeling and members are there to comfort families who have been impacted by the disturbing allegations. Brown is in federal custody until his bond hearing which could come as early as next week.
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