Who Is Kristi Hanks? Dickinson Texas Teacher Arrest

Kristi Hanks is a 46-year-old educator with Dickinson Independent School District in Texas. Hanks was assigned during the summer to teach at the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program. Authorities arrested Hanks after accusing her of having an improper relationship with a 16-year-old student. She has been charged with improper relationship between an educator and student.

Kristi Hanks Allegations

Hanks Arrested, Accused Of Improper Relationship With 16-Year-Old Student. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said Hanks was arrested after investigators examined allegations involving a 16-year-old student at the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center. Prosecutors determined that probable cause existed to charge her with improper relationship between educator and student. Authorities recommended a $100,000 bond. [MORE]

Investigation Began After Juvenile Justice Center Reported Concerns About Hanks. Authorities said the investigation began in early August after officials at the Juvenile Justice Center raised concerns about a teacher’s relationship with a student. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit investigated with assistance from the Juvenile Justice Center and the Office of Inspector General. [MORE]

Sheriff: Investigation Produced Evidence, Interviews And Admissions From Hanks. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators collected material evidence, interviewed multiple people and obtained what authorities described as admissions from Hanks. Investigators alleged that Hanks maintained frequent contact with the student outside an academic setting and engaged in an improper relationship. [MORE]

Dickinson ISD Placed Hanks On Administrative Leave Before Her Arrest. Dickinson ISD said it put Hanks on administrative leave immediately after learning of the allegations and before the district was informed that she had been arrested. The district said the case had been referred to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office and that it would continue cooperating with investigators. [MORE]

Hanks Arrested During Traffic Stop Near Her Residence. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant on August 19 and took Hanks into custody during a traffic stop near her residence, according to the sheriff’s office. The Major Crimes Unit made the arrest with assistance from the Crime Reduction Unit. [MORE]

Report: Kristi Hanks Was Allegedly Being Blackmailed. “Dickinson ISD teacher Kristi Hanks, 46, was arrested Wednesday and charged with improper relationship between educator and student. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said the victim was enrolled in an alternative education program at the Galveston County Juvenile Justice Center where Hanks was teaching at the time. The sheriff’s office began investigating Aug. 6 after one of the juvenile inmates reported the relationship to jail staff.” [ABC]