Gibson Sentenced to 30 Years for Aggravated Abuse of Disabled Adult
On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 53-year-old Thomas Gibson III was sentenced to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections following his conviction for aggravated abuse of a disabled adult. The Honorable Judge Timothy T. McCourt handed down the sentence after Gibson was found guilty of one felony count of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult.
“Brutally attacking a disabled adult is one of the lowest acts of violence you can commit,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The victim in this case was fortunate to escape with their life and I thank the jury for their service in this case.”
The charges stem from an incident on July 30, 2022, when officers from the Dunnellon Police Department responded to a battery call at the Rainbow Garden Apartments. They found the victim with a large laceration to their upper lip, a bruised and swollen eye, and bloodstains throughout the residence.
The victim reported that an argument with Gibson escalated to physical violence after Gibson became angry and refused to leave. The next morning, Gibson assaulted the victim again, restraining them when they tried to call 9-1-1 and threatening to kill them. The victim eventually escaped and contacted the authorities.
Gibson fled the scene but was apprehended three days later and booked into the Marion County Jail. The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Sziklai.
