Murder witness sent to prison in drug case

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Maui's Matthew Gibb, who eluded prison time despite his role in the rape and murder of a teen-age Puna girl in 1993, is going to prison for violating probation.

Officials say his recent conviction on felony drug charges on Maui violated what they have called a "sweetheart deal" he received for becoming a prosecution witness in the rape-murder case.

The felony drug case led to the revocation of Gibb's probation in September.

On Thursday he was ordered to prison by Judge Riki May Amano.

Gibb, 27, admitted he took part in the abduction, rape and murder of Sequoya Vargas but was allowed to plead to reduced charges of third-degree sexual assault in exchange for his testimony against two others, who are now serving prison terms.

The chief defendant in the Vargas case, Damian Serrano, is serving two life terms plus 20 years for his part in the rape and murder; Serrano's cousin, Jason McCubbins, is serving a 20-year prison term.

The three were accused of kidnapping the 16-year-old Pahoa High School student, abusing her repeatedly, then throwing her into the ocean. Her body was never found.