After Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi there was only one uplifting story from that entire disaster. It was the heroic story of a young New Orleans resident, a then, 20 year-old, Jabar Gibson. Gibson had to escape the rising floodwaters and saw a huge school district parking lot filled with what later became destroyed buses.
Gibson, a quick-witted lad took it upon himself to “borrow” a school bus, fill it with as many people he could and get them all safely to the Houston Astrodome. Necessity made use of the bus a lawful act even though he had no permission to do that. Gibson reacted swiftly, decisively and saved those lucky enough to find their way on the renegade bus.
Gibson seemed to do what FEMA, the state and local governments could not do. Gibson exercised leadership, took decisive action and brought needed and quick relief to as many as 70 victims of that disaster.
I knew his story was suitable for a movie of the week. I immediately went on a mission to find Gibson, get him to L.A. and work out a movie deal. With the help of someone in Houston I was able to accomplish that mission.
The courts record systems in Louisiana were down and my ability to do a background examination was hampered. Gibson did confess a stolen car, joy riding conviction. I did not expect he’d be a saint since he came from poverty and perhaps the most depressed school district in America.
Interest in making a film about Gibson came from Kelsey Grammer, Mike Farrell and Spike Lee. That all ended when Gibson, who had returned to New Orleans got himself arrested with drugs after a police chase on November 25th. Now nobody wanted Gibson’s image for more than a police booking photo. The hope for the financial rewards and a new life for Gibson as a result of a film were for all practical purposes ended.
Gibson got out of jail on bail pending that prosecution and then got himself in yet another jam on January 7th, when he was again arrested carrying 1.7 grams of cocaine, an undisclosed amount of heroin and a Tarus .357-caliber revolver by New Orleans narcotics detectives and federal agents.
Thursday a federal grand indicted Gibson for cocaine and heroin trafficking and possession of a gun while dealing drugs. Gibson made it big, but not in the way I’d hoped.
An Update:
On April 1, 2008 Gibson was released from federal prison. Let's hope he can behave himself and somehow salvage his life as an ex-convict and convicted felon.
Yet another update:
This worthless scumbag got himself in the jackpot again with the feds. Guns and crack netted this loser lots of years when he was sentenced yet again! So long asshole!
MINUTE ENTRY
BERRIGAN, J.
OCTOBER 27, 2010
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CRIMINAL ACTION
VERSUS NUMBER: 09-249
JABAR GIBSON SECTION: "C"
SENTENCING
APPEARANCES: Edward J. Rivera, Asst. U. S. Attorney
Valerie Jusselin, Counsel for Defendant
Jabar Gibson, Defendant
COURT REPORTER: Karen Ibos
COURTROOM DEPUTY: Kimberly County
Case called; all present and ready.
Deft sentenced to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons for 120 months as to each of Counts
1 and 3 of the Indictment to run concurrently with each other and concurrently with the
sentences imposed in docket nos. 06cr114 and 05cr323, and 60 months as to Count 2 of the
indictment to be served consecutively to Counts 1 & 3.
Upon release from imprisonment, defendant shall be placed on supervised release for a term
of 8 years as to Count 1 and 3 years as to each of counts 2 and 3, all to be served
concurrently.
See J & C for special conditions, etc.
Deft remanded to U. S. Marshal.
Court adjourned.
