James Gibson, aka "Gibby", Lawrence William Vaughan, aka "Scary Larry", & four other defendants for the killing of Michael Hall

Neosho resident receives 30-year sentence for kidnapping plot and illegal gun possession. Victim of kidnapping conspiracy tortured and fatally shot by perpetrators.

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A man from Neosho, Missouri, received a federal court sentencing today for his involvement in a kidnapping plot that led to the torture and death of the victim, along with the illegal possession of a firearm.

James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” 41, was handed a 30-year prison term by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool without the possibility of parole.

Gibson pleaded guilty on April 18, 2023, to participating in a kidnapping conspiracy and to unlawfully possessing a firearm. His co-defendant, Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 52, of Neosho, was previously sentenced on Nov. 7, 2013, to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

Additionally, four other co-defendants have admitted guilt and are awaiting sentencing in this case. Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 52, of Greenwood, Missouri, is set to be sentenced on Tuesday, April 16. Amy Kay Thomas, 40, of Webb City, Missouri, is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday, April 18. However, sentencing dates have not yet been determined for Freddie Lewis Tilton, also known as “Ol’ Boy,” 51, and Carla Jo Ward, 49, both of Joplin, Missouri.

Gibson confessed to his involvement in a scheme to abduct the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. Tilton had offered Ward and Vaughan $5,000 each to locate and deliver M.H. to him. Ward, aware of Tilton's search for M.H., picked him up and took him to Vaughan’s home. Vaughan informed Tilton via text message to quickly retrieve M.H. Vaughan and Tilton exchanged messages throughout the early morning of July 15, 2020, with Vaughan informing Tilton that M.H. possessed two firearms.

Later, Vaughan informed Tilton that the guns were secured. Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence where they bound M.H., assaulted him, and ultimately, Tilton fatally shot him. Gibson also confessed to burning M.H. with a blowtorch. After the assault and shooting, Gibson and others cleaned the scene and transported M.H.’s body to Hurtt’s property.

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Law enforcement officers searched Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information about a deceased individual. When officers attempted to make contact, Tilton fired shots at them from inside the residence. Tilton was subsequently apprehended. M.H.’s body was discovered on the property, along with several firearms.

It's against federal law for felons to possess firearms or ammunition. Gibson had multiple prior felony convictions, including resisting arrest, possession of controlled substances, tampering, assault, and violence against a Department of Corrections employee or inmate.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller and investigated by various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Neosho Police Department, Joplin Police Department, Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department in Kansas.

According to the court documents, Ward picked up Hall and brought him to Vaughan’s home. Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson purportedly arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early hours of July 15, 2020. They restrained M.H. by handcuffing his hands and wrapping duct tape around his mouth and other areas of his body. As Vaughan and Ward looked on, Thomas allegedly cut M.H. multiple times with a knife while Gibson assaulted him with a club. Tilton then fatally shot M.H. in the head. Following this, they wrapped M.H.’s remains in plastic wrap and transported them to Hurtt’s property.

Law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, prompted by information about a deceased individual being located on the land. Upon trying to make contact with the occupants of the residence, the charges state that Tilton discharged multiple shots from within the premises at the officers. Tilton was subsequently apprehended, and M.H.’s body was discovered on the property.

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