The events leading to the kidnapping of murder victim Michael James Hall are described in today's indictments:
On or about July 4, 2020, through July 6, 2020, HURTT sent text messages, through a
cellular phone, to R.B. demanding R.B. provide the name of a male who drove a Dodge
truck who assisted her and E.C. to take back a camper that TILTON had stolen from E.C.
HURTT informed R.B. through text messages that people who helped take the trailer back
from TILTON were going to get hurt and probably killed, and R.B. might be one of the
individuals hurt or killed.
HURTT told R.B. she needed to tell him where he could find
the male or his name. R.B. finally disclosed, “All I know he said his name was mike and
he was a brother or honky.”
HURTT conveyed that “Ol boy said u need to call him and
talk to him on the phone cause ur looking guilty and hiding stuff ” and that R.B. needed to
“get that dude to meet u somewhere where he can get him or find out where he can find
him thats bottom line.”
HURTT continued to text message R.B. July 9, 2020, and July 12,
2020, indicating that “this shit aint going to stop just keep getting worse” until E.C. and
the male were caught by TILTON. Mike was identified as the victim, M.H.
On July 5, 2020, HURTT sent a message via Facebook Messenger to TILTON asking if
TILTON wanted HURTT to find “Mike” and TILTON stated “yes.”
On July 5, 2020, TILTON sent a message through Facebook Messenger to M.H. stating,
“Whats up let’s finish this. That was lame what you did yesterday I wasn’t impressed at all
see when I look her rv I called her and told her I took it and why I toke her shit because.
She goes and puts money jarmy. Dills books the same one that was talking to thee fbi trying
to set me up. So why you trying to help a rat. you crossed a line there for you will be
punished I would have had respect for you if you wodnt have got scared and ran dragjng
the rv when you knew I was coming run little scared punk run I will find you you picked
the right one.”
On July 7, 2020, TILTON posted comments on his Facebook profile page under the profile
name “Freddie TILTON” to M.H.
TILTON posted, “Whats up tough guy were you
hiding?”
M.H. replied, “In your backyard. Get your Binoculars out.” TILTON then
posted, “Well I don’t see you come out and face me like a man.”
TILTON noted that M.H.
“f----- up” and he would not stop till he got him.
On July 8, 2020, TILTON sent messages through Facebook Messenger to R.B. stating,
“see you are friends with M.H.” and “Im going to shot him in the face when I catch him.
he f---ed up.”
On July 8, 2020, WARD sent a message to TILTON through Facebook
Messenger stating, “Hey check it out here is that piece of s--- (M.H.) location I was able
to reel him in so far.” WARD attached a screen shot of a map location.
On July 14, 2020, WARD picked M.H. up from Joplin, Missouri, and took him to
VAUGHAN’s residence in Newton County, Missouri. WARD contacted VAUGHAN
using her cellular phone to advise she had “company.”
WARD sent text messages to
TILTON advising she had M.H. On July 14, 2020, WARD sent a message to TILTON
through Facebook Messenger stating, “Get here I’ve got M.H.”
On or about July 14, 2020, VAUGHAN sent a text message to TILTON stating, “Call me
quickly handing [M.H.] to you.”
On or about July 15, 2020, at 12:59:33 a.m. (UTC-5), VAUGHAN sent a text message to
TILTON that read, “He’s got 2 guns.” At 2:15:10 a.m. (UTC-5), VAUGHAN sent a text
message to TILTON that stated, “OK we’ve got both his guns put up.”
At 3:42:20 a.m.
(UTC-5), VAUGHAN sent a text message to TILTON that read, “Guns are secure I’m
waiting for you at the bridge.”
On or about July 15, 2020, THOMAS, GIBSON, and TILTON responded to VAUGHAN’s
residence in the early morning hours. TILTON, THOMAS, and GIBSON bound M.H.’s
hands with handcuffs and duct tape were placed arounds his mouth and other parts of his
body.
THOMAS cut M.H. repeatedly with a knife and GIBSON beat M.H. with a club.
TILTON shot M.H. in the head. These acts were conducted in VAUGHAN and WARD’s
presence, as well as others known and unknown to the Grand Jury.
TILTON, THOMAS,
GIBSON, VAUGHAN, and WARD cleaned up the blood and damage created during the
assault and shooting of M.H. The defendants wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and
transported it to HURTT’s property located in Newton County in a black BMW utilized by
TILTON.
On or about July 15, 2020, at 11:11:42 p.m. (UTC-5), TILTON sent a text message to
VAUGHAN that read, “You good my friend.”
At 11:16:12 p.m. (UTC-5), VAUGHAN
responded, “Were good goon need a dining room set had a few.” The message continues
at 11:17:25 p.m., “Holes in it so I burnt the whole thing figure with refinishing the floors
it will look better anyway.”
On or about July 16, 2020, at 4:35:16 a.m. (UTC-5), VAUGHAN sent a text message to
TILTON that read, “Everyone is good. Need a couple gallons of paint along with the
reward for that one. Damn sprayed bleach on the blue Nd it turned lime green.”
On July 28, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant for HURTT’s property based
on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage.
Upon attempting to
contact occupants of the residence, TILTON fired multiple shots from inside the residence
at law enforcement prior to being apprehended. Law enforcement located M.H.’s deceased
body approximately 100 to 150 yards away from the residence on the property.
Tilton was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping resulting in death, use of firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm (two counts).
Thomas, Gibson and Ward were indicted on the same charges, with only one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Vaughan and Hurtt were indicted on conspiracy to commit kidnapping, kidnapping resulting in a death and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.