Stanislaus deputy arrested after allegedly breaking into estranged wife’s home
A Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested Monday evening for allegedly breaking into his estranged wife’s house in Columbia, while in uniform and driving an unmarked law enforcement vehicle.
Curtis Ray Hankins Sr., 54, was arrested and booked into Dambacher Detention Center on suspicion of unlawful entry into a dwelling.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 5:30 p.m. Monday to a reported disturbance on Italian Bar Road near Columbia Springs Lane. The woman told dispatch that Hankins had shown up unannounced and was trying to force his way into the home.
Hankins, who had not been living at the residence, told the woman he intended to move back in because he could no longer afford living expenses amid their ongoing divorce. Deputies said both Hankins and the woman own the property, but its ownership is currently being contested in civil court, making his entry into the home unlawful.
Before deputies arrived, Hankins reportedly reached through the dog door to unlock the door and let himself in. The woman left to wait at a neighboring property. She later completed a citizen’s arrest form for unauthorized entry into a dwelling and requested an emergency protective order, which was granted by a judge.
During booking, Hankins identified himself as an employee of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office. His service weapon and unmarked patrol vehicle were released to his agency for safekeeping.
Another deputy arrest
This is the fifth Stanislaus County deputy sheriff to be arrested in the past four years.
In 2023, former deputy Chad Kewen Lewis was arrested and later charged with a misdemeanor count of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
Later that year, former custodial deputy Jonathan McClure was arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with an inmate. He was convicted in February of engaging in sexual relations with an incarcerated person and bringing contraband into a jail facility.
Former deputy Matthew Dessert was also arrested in 2023 on five counts of child sexual abuse. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
In May, Israel Morales, a patrol deputy based in Hughson, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping after allegedly forcing at least one woman to perform oral sex to avoid being taken to jail.
Additionally, Detective Daniel Hutsell, an employee of the Sheriff’s Office and on its SWAT team, took his own life after killing his wife in a murder-suicide earlier this year.
As of Thursday morning, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office had not responded to The Bee’s requests for comment.
This story was originally published August 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM.
