Officers with the Joplin Police Department on February 12, 2011, arrested Gayle J. Thornberry, 46, pictured, for conspiracy to commit first degree murder. She was arrested without incident at her residence at the Capri Motel in Joplin.
Previously, the Joplin Police Department had received a report that Thornberry was seeking to hire someone to assist her with the murder of a Webb City woman. With the assistance of an undercover agent, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of Homeland Security Investigations, Thornberry attempted to obtain a firearm to commit the alleged crime.
The case was investigated by detectives with the Joplin Police Department, assigned to the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of Homeland Security Investigations.
Thornberry is currently being held at the Newton County Jail in lieu of $500,000.00 bond.
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