A Marion County man who beat and choked his elderly ex-girlfriend following an argument over “suspicious transactions” in his bank account will spend the next three decades in prison.
On Wednesday, July 17, 53-year-old Dunnellon resident Thomas Harold Gibson III was found guilty of one felony count of aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult. After he was adjudicated guilty, a Marion County judge sentenced him to 30 years in the Florida Department of Corrections, with credit for 128 days already served.
According to court records, on July 30, 2022, Dunnellon Police Department officers responded to the Rainbow Garden Apartments regarding a battery incident. When they arrived, they located a victim who had “obvious injuries,” including a large laceration on her upper lip and a bruised, swollen eye.
In addition, officers observed “large blood stains” on the victim’s shirt and throughout the residence.
The victim appeared to be “upset and afraid” as she told officers about the incident involving Gibson.
According to the original arrest report filed by the Dunnellon Police Department, the victim had been dating Gibson for eight months. The incident began during a weekend in which Gibson was staying with the victim.
On the evening of Friday, July 29, 2022, the victim and Gibson began arguing over “suspicious transactions with money” in Gibson’s account, according to the arrest report. During that argument, Gibson grabbed the victim by her clothing and shook and pushed her. Despite the victim asking Gibson to leave, the couple spoke and the victim felt that things “were all worked out” before they went to bed.
The next morning, Gibson became angry again and began striking the victim with his hands repeatedly. When the victim attempted to call 911, Gibson restrained her and threatened to kill her. At that time, Gibson also told the victim that he had “killed someone else before,” according to the original arrest report.
The victim was eventually able to get away from Gibson and contact law enforcement. Gibson fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers.
Three days after the incident, Gibson was located, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail.
The case went to trial earlier this week, and it was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Peter Sziklai.
“Brutally attacking a disabled adult is one of the lowest acts of violence you can commit,” stated William “Bill” Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. Gladson added that the victim in this case was “fortunate to escape with their life.”