Joplin woman sentenced for role in kidnapping that led to murder

A Joplin woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison during a hearing today in U. S. District Court in Springfield for her role in the kidnapping that led to the murder of Michael James Hall, Joplin, whose decomposing body was discovered during the execution of a search warrant at 3517 Cherry Road, Joplin, July 28, 2020.

Carla Jo Ward, 50, was also sentenced to 10 years for unlawful transport of firearms. The sentences will run concurrently. After she has served her time, Ward will be on supervised probation for five years on the kidnapping count and three years on the weapons charges, to run concurrently.

Ward pleaded guilty April 25, 2023. Her sentencing was delayed until after guilty pleas were obtained from the others who were involved in the kidnapping and murder.

According to the plea agreement, which was filed in April 2023, Ward admitted to picking up Hall at 7th and Schifferdecker and driving him to the location where he was tortured and eventually shot to death.

Ward is the fifth defendant in the case to be sentenced. 

Amy Kay Thomas, 41, Webb City, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison without parole. James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” 42, Neosho, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 52, of Joplin, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison without parole. Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 53, Neosho, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

The only defendant remaining to be sentenced is the man who committed the murder, Freddie Lewis Tilton, 51, Joplin, who pleaded guilty earlier this year.

Tilton's role in the murder was detailed in a September 18 news release from the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri after Tilton was convicted for his role in a separate kidnapping:

Tilton admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” in July 2020. Tilton offered Ward and Vaughan $5,000 each to locate and secure M.H. for him. Ward picked up M.H., whom she knew was being sought by Tilton, and took him to Vaughan’s residence.

Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. They bound M.H.’s hands with handcuffs, and duct tape was placed around his mouth and other parts of his body. Gibson, Thomas, and others assaulted M.H. for a period of time. M.H. was cut, beaten, and shot at. Gibson burned M.H. with a blowtorch. Tilton fatally shot M.H. in the head. Thomas and others cleaned up the blood and damage created during the assault and shooting of M.H. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and Thomas, Tilton, and Gibson transported it to Hurtt’s property.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage. When officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, Tilton fired multiple shots from inside the residence at the officers. Tilton was apprehended.

Officers found M.H.’s body on the property. Officers searched the residence and found 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.

No date has been scheduled for Tilton's sentencing.