Fire Investigator Resigns; Pound of Marijuana Allegedly Found in Home

LONGVIEW — A veteran Longview Fire Department employee resigned after Kilgore police said they found nearly a pound of marijuana in her home in late November. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. City spokesman Shawn Hara said Monica Hanks resigned from her duties as fire inspector and code compliance inspector last Thursday, three days after she was placed on paid administrative leave. Hanks was not criminally charged after a search of her home, northwest of Kilgore, allegedly revealed marijuana and drug distribution paraphernalia. Eric King, 22, of Kilgore was arrested and charged with possession of between 4 ounces and 5 pounds of marijuana as well as evading arrest.

Hara said the Longview police department had begun an internal investigation for possible personnel policy violations at the request of the Longview Fire Department, since Hanks worked in the division that normally conducts LFD internal investigations. Officials say they don’t anticipate making any further arrests based on the investigation. Hanks, who has served with the Longview Fire Department since 1998, was not available for comment at last report.