Hitchcock mayor arrested on charge of engaging in organized criminal activity
Hitchcock mayor arrested after gambling raids
Hitchcock Mayor Christopher Armacost is out on bond after being arrested for allegedly engaging in organized criminal activity. FOX 26's Angie Rodriguez breaks down the allegations against the mayor and why 20 places in the city were raided on Wednesday.
HITCHCOCK, Texas - Hitchcock Mayor Christopher Armacost was arrested on Wednesday night, sheriff’s office records show.
Hitchcock Mayor arrested
What we know:
According to Galveston County Sheriff’s Office arrest records, Christopher Evan Armacost, 44, was arrested on a charge of engaging in organized criminal activity.
Armacost also serves as assistant superintendent of Hitchcock ISD.
What they're saying:
In a statement, the district said, "Hitchcock ISD is aware of the recent arrest of Chris Armacost. He remains an employee of the district as we are reviewing all applicable information. Due to this being a personnel related matter, the district cannot provide further comment."
Dig deeper:
According to Galveston County court records, Mayor Armacost is the sole owner of Comfort Zone Washateria along Highway 6 near Main Street.
A county lieutenant allegedly got a tip about the laundromat having 8-liner machines.
Two officials went undercover, used machines at the laundromat, and brought their prize tickets to an attendant. Records say the attendant paid one official from a cash register at her desk, and she paid the other with money from a safe under her desk.
During Wednesday's raids, the attendant, identified as Nancy Landreth, was arrested for an outstanding warrant. She allegedly told officials that she had worked at the laundromat since before the mayor bought it two or three years ago.
A sergeant then went through Landreth's text messages with the mayor, which reportedly showed photos of ledger entries with the word "game" and monetary values tied to laundering operations.
UPDATE: On Friday, Armacost released the following statement: "Some of the most important rights granted to Americans by the Constitution are the presumption of innocence, and the right to confront your accusers in court to test the strength of those accusations. I have been charged by the State with offenses as a private citizen and business owner. Neither my work as Mayor for the City of Hitchcock, nor my work as an administrator for Hitchcock Independent School District have been implicated in these charges. It is with that in mind that I intend to defend myself as a private citizen, and decline to fight this case in the media. This case will be resolved in court, as is right and proper. Thank you."
Hitchcock gambling investigation
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20 Hitchcock locations hit with warrants for gambling investigation
Officials say illegal gambling establishments and the City of Hitchcock are included in the warrants.
The backstory:
The arrest comes after the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants Wednesday at nearly two dozen locations in the Hitchcock area that were tied to an illegal gambling investigation.
According to the sheriff's office, its Organized Crime Task Force executed 21 search warrants at 20 Hitchcock locations.
All the locations targeted in the warrants are believed to be "unlawful gambling establishments." Records confirmed a game room on Wallace Avenue and another on Highway 6 were also targeted.
The City of Hitchcock was also included in the warrants "due to its regulatory responsibilities involving permitting, employee records, and inspections related to these businesses," according to the GCSO.
What we don't know:
Officials did not name the other locations that were targeted in the warrants.
Most suspects have not been identified, but the sheriff's office's records show more than two dozen arrests on Wednesday for gambling-related charges in Hitchcock.
Search warrant executed at City Hall
The City of Hitchcock did confirm that one of the search warrants was executed at City Hall on Wednesday. The city released this statement to FOX 26:
"The City of Hitchcock is aware of the law enforcement activity that occurred on February 18, 2026, involving the execution of search warrants at several locations within the city, including City Hall.
The City of Hitchcock is fully cooperating with the Galveston County Sheriff's Office and the Galveston County Organized Crime Task Force as they conduct their investigation into illegal gambling operations. Our administration is committed to complete transparency and is providing investigators with all requested access to permitting records, inspection reports, and personnel files to ensure a thorough and swift resolution.
"The City takes these allegations very seriously," said Marie Gelles, City Manager. "We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and public trust. We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible while ensuring that essential city services remain uninterrupted for our residents".
Regarding the arrest of Mayor Chris Armacost, the City is currently reviewing all legal and administrative protocols. As this is an active criminal matter, the City cannot provide further comment on specific details of the case at this time.
We remain focused on our mission to serve the people of Hitchcock and will provide updates as more information becomes available through the proper legal channels."
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Galveston County Sheriff's Office, Galveston County court records, the City of Hitchcock and Hitchcock ISD.