Forgive me if it's not cool to post here, but I have an extra Verizon M(8). I'm sure you're going to want to move the thread and that's cool. I'm totally open to negotiate and pictures can follow if I get any interest.
Go to the apple support site and de register the iPhone with iMessage.
https://supportprofile.apple.com
Also make sure iMessage is turned off on any other device that you may have registered with.