Hitchcock mayor speaks out after being arrested for alleged connection with illegal gambling bust

HITCHCOCK, Texas (KTRK) -- For the first time since he found himself behind bars for his alleged connection to an illegal gambling operation, Hitchcock's mayor broke his silence.

On Wednesday, Galveston Court records show that Mayor Christopher Armacost was arrested on a felony charge of engaging in organized criminal activity. Deputies said it was tied to an illegal gambling operation.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Hitchcock mayor arrested in connection with illegal gambling bust, sheriff says

In addition to serving as mayor, Armacost is Hitchcock ISD's assistant superintendent. In his mug shot, Armacost is wearing a district shirt.

On Friday, through an attorney, Armacost sent ABC13 a 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 has 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."

Law enforcement officials also spoke publicly about the operation for the first time on Friday. Sheriff Jimmy Fullen said the investigation into Hitchcock's illegal gambling started five months ago.

"We started getting our complaints in October, and that's when we went and met with the mayor," Fullen said.

Fullen said Armacost told him he'd look more closely at the gaming machines. He said the mayor said he'd limit the number of places with amusement permits to fewer than ten.

This week, deputies served warrants at 21 locations, including a business deputies said Armacost owned.

"I was thoroughly convinced, and my chief deputy, that the mayor said they were addressing it and they were going to address the problem," Fullen explained. "When I found out we had an actual warrant on him, it surprised me, it really did."

Deputies didn't just serve warrants at businesses; they also served a warrant at city hall. Deputies said they spoke with staff and seized documents that could lead to additional arrests.

"That would include city officials, any other officials that would be involved and any other persons operating, financing, or operating these game rooms," Galveston County District Attorney Kenneth Cusick explained.

To operate a machine, businesses must have a city amusement permit. The 2024 budget shows the city collected just over $7 million in total revenue.

Documents show amusement permits generated more than $850,000 in revenue, about 12% of the city's total revenue. Only property tax and sales tax generated more money.

13 investigates also found that only one machine in the entire city was registered with the state. Deputies said they seized nearly 750.

It was the second illegal gambling operation by the sheriff's office in 2026. Investigators conducted busts in Galveston in January and moved toward Hitchcock this month.

ABC13 asked Fullen if he's eyeing other cities. "I'm not even going to answer that question," Fullen said. "I can't believe you'd even ask that question."

While Fullen won't say if more cities could be targeted, he did say more arrests tied to the latest Hitchcock operation could be coming.

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