DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – A former Volusia County teacher accused of having relationships with students is now weighing his own fate.
Arin Hankerd was arrested in February last year after Port Orange police said two victims came forward. Hankerd then pleaded no contest in October. A judge on Monday gave him the next 48 hours to take a deal or go to trial, which could land him in prison much longer.
Judge Karen Foxman gave Hankerd until Wednesday to decide if he will take the state’s deal or go to trial, where he could potentially face up to 186 years in prison.
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“I want to make sure you have enough time to discuss with your attorney that offer and any pros and cons. The state is saying they are not objecting to you withdrawing your plea,” Foxman told him in court.
If Hankerd is to take the state’s deal, he would face 25 years in prison, plus 10 years probation and be listed as a sexual predator.
When Hankerd entered a no-contest plea in October, the state sentencing guidelines showed an 18-year minimum in prison.
Then last month, the state changed the guidelines, giving Hankerd the chance to withdraw his plea since the conditions changed and debate if he’d rather have a trial.
Hankerd has been in jail since last year.
Port Orange police arrested him while he was a teacher at Atlantic High School after a student came forward saying they had a sexual relationship. Detectives said then, another student came forward, this time from Mainland High School where Hankerd taught before he transferred to Atlantic.
“I’m going to ask you to discuss the offer and make sure that he is understanding fully everything that he is risking an everything that he’s being offered,” Foxman told him Monday.
Hankerd has until Wednesday to make the decision where court will reconvene at 3 p.m.
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