KC Reporter

A Neosho, Mo., man, James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy that led to the torture and death of the victim, as well as for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.

Gibson's co-defendant, Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” received a 25-year sentence back in 2013. Four other co-defendants are awaiting sentencing in the case, including Russell Eugene Hurtt, Amy Kay Thomas, Freddie Lewis Tilton, and Carla Jo Ward.

According to court documents, Gibson admitted to participating in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. The victim was bound, assaulted, and ultimately shot by Tilton, resulting in his death.

Law enforcement officers discovered the victim's body on Hurtt’s property after executing a search warrant. The search also led to the recovery of several firearms, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Gibson, who has multiple prior felony convictions, was found to be in illegal possession of firearms, which is prohibited under federal law.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller and investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, local police departments, and drug enforcement teams. The operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which aims to target and dismantle high-level criminal organizations in the United States.