A man from Neosho, Missouri, known as “Scary Larry,” has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy that led to the torture and death of the victim. He has also been convicted of illegally possessing stolen firearms. Five co-defendants await sentencing in the kidnapping case. This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. justice.gov reported
Neosho Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Kidnapping Conspiracy Resulting in Torture and Death
Introduction
In a federal court in Springfield, Missouri, Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” a 52-year-old man from Neosho, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole. This sentence is for his involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy that led to the torture and eventual death of the victim. Additionally, Vaughan was sentenced for illegally possessing stolen firearms in an unrelated case.
Kidnapping, Torture, and Murder
The crime took place in July 2020, and Vaughan pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy on April 27, 2023. Five co-defendants, including Freddie Lewis Tilton, Carla Jo Ward, James B. Gibson, Amy Kay Thomas, and Russell Eugene Hurtt, have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Vaughan’s involvement in the kidnapping conspiracy began when Tilton offered him and Ward $5,000 each to locate and secure the victim, referred to as “M.H.” Ward, aware of M.H.’s situation, picked him up and took him to Vaughan’s residence. Vaughan then contacted Tilton, informing him that he had M.H. and was ready to hand him over. The two continued to communicate throughout the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. Vaughan even mentioned that M.H. possessed two guns. A few hours later, Vaughan assured Tilton that the guns were secure and that he was awaiting his arrival.
On that same day, Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence. They bound M.H., placed duct tape over his mouth and body, and subjected him to a brutal assault. M.H. was cut, beaten, shot at, and burned with a blowtorch. Tragically, Tilton ended M.H.’s life by shooting him in the head. Vaughan and others present then cleaned up the crime scene, removing any evidence of the assault and shooting. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and transported it to Hurtt’s property.
Authorities became aware of the crime when they executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020. They had received information about a deceased body on the premises. As officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, Tilton fired multiple shots at them from inside. Eventually, Tilton was apprehended, and M.H.’s body was discovered on the property. The search also led to the seizure of several firearms, including a Rigarmi .25-caliber pistol, an Ithaca .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .22-caliber rifle without a serial number, a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun without a serial number.
Illegally Possessing Firearms
Aside from his involvement in the kidnapping conspiracy, Vaughan also faced charges related to illegally possessing firearms. On February 24, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and two counts of possessing stolen firearms.
Vaughan admitted to possessing a DB9 9mm handgun, which had been reported stolen, on January 4, 2019. The firearm was found in the glove box of his truck. Additionally, he confessed to possessing a Glock 9mm handgun, also reported stolen, on March 12, 2019. This firearm was discovered inside a travel trailer that had been stolen two days earlier and was found on Vaughan’s property. During the search of the trailer, officers also found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Investigation and Prosecution
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller prosecuted these cases. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Neosho Police Department, Joplin Police Department, Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department were all involved in the investigation.
Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF)
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling high-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. The OCDETF operation employs a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, and multi-agency approach. Further information about the OCDETF Program can be found at the official website of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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