A 33-year-old senior correctional officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) identified as Nicholas Wade Hannah, has been arrested for allegedly choking a family member.

Reports noted that jail records showed that Mr Hannah, who had a history of previous encounters with the law, was booked into the Anderson County Jail by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.

However, the specific details of the accusations against him remain unclear as of press time, while the jail records did not indicate any bond or release information. 

Under Texas laws, assault involving choking a family or household member is a third-degree felony and carries a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

TDCJ’s employment records showed that Mr Hannah joined the department in March 2020 and moved up the ladder to become a senior correctional officer. It is unclear if he would remain employed with the department after conclusion of his case. 

Before his latest arrest, Mr Hannah has had previous dealings with the police. In 2012, he was arrested and charged with stealing property worth $1,500 to less than $20,000 but was released two weeks later on a $10,000 bond.

Also in 2017, he was apprehended for unlawfully carrying a weapon but released the same day on a $2,500 bond, with the outcome of the cases unclear. 

Recall that the Peoples Gazette reported in September that two female correctional officials with the TDCJ, Bianca Lopez and Miranda Annette Barrientes-Sedillo, were arrested and charged with alleged sexual acts with inmates while on duty.

Several other individuals connected with the department including those with Nigerian origin have also been arrested this year. A Nigerian correctional officer with TDCJ, Jonmorgan Obinna Onyekwere, was indicted this week on official oppression charges.