VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Four more potential victims have come forward after a Volusia County teacher was arrested and accused of having sexual contact with a 15-year-old student, according to law enforcement.
Arin Hankerd, 42, was arrested Sunday and faces charges of lewd lascivious molestation by an authority figure and traveling to meet a minor. Hankerd’s bond was set to $115,000 at the time of his arrest, though a judge Wednesday decided to raise that amount to $250,000.
Hankerd was a gym teacher and football coach at Atlantic High School in Port Orange.
If released on bond, Hankerd will not be allowed to have internet access, won’t be permitted to go anywhere where children gather and may only have supervised contact with his own children.
Port Orange police said they’ve also been contacted about 30 times regarding Hankerd’s arrest, and four more potential victims of sexual abuse have come forward from Atlantic High School and other high schools.
Former Port Orange gym teacher, Arin Hankerd, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15yrold student, is in court for bond hearing @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/nhs7q2HCve
— Molly Reed (@Mollyreednews) February 15, 2023
According to a charging affidavit, the girl’s mother found a journal with entries detailing her contact with Hankerd. The student and Hankerd used Instagram to communicate and he would send inappropriate photos to the girl using the app, according to the affidavit.
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Hankerd and the student had sexual interactions in a portable classroom and a gym storage room at the school over several occasions, the charging affidavit said. Detectives said that Hankerd admitted to messaging and touching the student on school campus.
The 42-year-old taught at the school for about two years. Volusia County Schools released a statement on Monday saying Hankerd had resigned.
Hankerd was held in Volusia County jail on charges of traveling to meet a minor, lewd lascivious exhibition via computer and two counts of lewd lascivious molestation. According to the jail website, he bonded out Friday afternoon.
An investigation is ongoing and if anyone has information about the activities of Hankerd, they are asked to contact Detective Kelsie Nugent at 386-506-5894 or email at knugent@port-orange.org.
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