THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE RELEASE
ABOVE: Johnny Gibson
Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department Investigators have arrested 56-year-old Johnny Gibson of Peoria in connection to the July 2024 disappearance of Rankin resident Frank Lucas. Lucas was reported missing to the Sheriffs Department on July 11, 2024.
During the investigation, investigators obtained evidence that Lucas likely died of homicidal means and developed Gibson, a former neighbor of Lucas, as a suspect. On October 20, 2025, investigators located human remains, believed to be Frank Lucas, in rural Champaign County. Positive identification of the remains is pending by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.
An arrest warrant was issued for Gibson, charging him with Murder, Dismembering a Human Body, and Concealing a Homicidal Death. Gibson was taken into custody at his residence and was transported to the Vermilion County Jail, where he is being held.
If anyone has additional information about this investigation, please contact the sheriffs department investigation division at 217-442-4080. As a reminder, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
