- Jabbar Gibson
Jabbar Gibson (reported also as Jabbor or Jabar) is a man who, on
September 1 ,2005 , drove an abandonedNew Orleans school bus afterHurricane Katrina from the flooded area toHouston ,Texas , to rescue victims of the flooded city. He was 20 years old at the time.He gained national attention when he commandeered the bus in New Orleans and picked up around 70 passengers, driving them 13 hours to Houston, stopping for fuel three times. When asked how he paid for fuel, Jabbar replied, "we passed a hat around until we had enough money". More notoriety followed when it was reported he might be in trouble for appropriating the vehicle illegally, as driving a commercial vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds requires a class A, B, or C Louisiana license.
Gibson's story was reported by Salatheia Bryant and Cynthia Leonor Garza, reporters for the "
Houston Chronicle " newspaper.Gibson has an extensive criminal history, including numerous arrests, and a prior conviction for possession of a stolen automobile. He had two pending cases before Hurricane Katrina for possession of
cocaine and aggravated assault with a firearm with discharge. He was released from jail on the assault charge nine days before the storm hit on a personal recognizance bond issued by Judge Charles Elloie.Gibson has picked up more charges since Hurricane Katrina. On January 9, 2006, Gibson was
arrested and subsequently indicted on federal charges after being found in possession ofcocaine ,heroin , and arevolver by New Orleans narcotics detectives and federal agents.He is currently incarcerated in
Orleans Parish Prison awaiting trial on his pending cases.External links
* [http://www.local6.com/news/4929516/detail.html WKMG-TV Local 6 story]
* [http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3334317 Houston Chronicle Article (with picture)]
* [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1763947,00.html The Sunday Times (UK)]
* " [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12316046/ Man hailed as hero after Katrina is indicted] ", AP item printed by MSNBC
* [http://opcsolxb.opcso.org/dcktmstr/dmdspscn.php?d1scnn=718158 Jabar Gibson's pending cases in the Criminal District Court for the Parish of Orleans]
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