Houston police officer ‘relieved of duty’ after arrest for family violence
Arrest Crime Handcuffs (KPRC2/Click2Houston.com)
HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was relieved of duty after being arrested for family violence, according to the Houston Police Department.
Dra’Vaughn Smith Banks was charged with assault - continuous family violence for incidents between February and March of 2022.
His bond was posted at $20,000.
Officer Smith-Banks is accused of grabbing his ex by the neck and throwing her to the ground. As she was trying to fight back, he threw her against the wall, according to court documents.
The fight started after the birth of their child and Smith-Banks said the couple agreed not to have anyone visit the home for the first month. But one of the his ex’s friends visited, which led to the altercation, per docs.
He was assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division and sworn in as an officer in July 2019.
The case is being investigated by the Houston Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Rilwan Balogun headshot
Nigerian-born Tennessean, passionate storyteller, cinephile, and coffee addict
Brittany Taylor headshot
Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side ▶ 1:16
Woman dies in massive apartment fire on Houston's southwest side
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment ▶ 0:55
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Baytown police; mother of his children found dead in apartment
Top stories for December 19 ▶ 2:13
Top stories for December 19
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport ▶ 2:03
Holiday travel hits a sweeter note as Southwest Airlines worker plays sax at Houston airport
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures ▶ 0:51
Parents fight to save A-rated Sugar Mill Elementary as Fort Bend ISD weighs closures
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school ▶ 0:53
Girlfriend identifies Andrew Meismer as victim in fatal stabbing at Baytown high school
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years ▶ 0:39
Houston family says cemetery failed to deliver headstone for nearly three years
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church ▶ 0:54
Woman survives camel kick during Christmas performance at Houston-area church
Holiday travel forecast ▶ 0:41
Holiday travel forecast
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military ▶ 0:20
Conroe judge disciplined for DUI during military
Why there are two different days for the start of winter? ▶ 0:50
Why there are two different days for the start of winter?
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom ▶ 1:17
Students at high school in Baytown gather to honor classmate who died in stabbing in classroom
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year! ▶ 1:16
3,500 cases of pertussis reported already this year!
Tops stories for Dec. 18 ▶ 1:43
Tops stories for Dec. 18
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen ▶ 1:54
Camp Mystic works to regain parents trust as it plans to reopen
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥 ▶ 2:33
Rapid Fire with Tom Llamas in Houston 🔥
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country ▶ 1:42
New flood detection system going up at camps in Texas Hill Country
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School ▶ 0:48
Student dies after being stabbed with scissors during fight in classroom at Sterling High School
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop ▶ 1:15
Conroe judge told officers to ‘be aware that he is a judge’ during DWI stop
Weak front on the way ▶ 1:03
Weak front on the way
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today ▶ 0:49
Happy Wednesday! Clouds and showers expected throughout Houston today
Top stories for Dec. 17 ▶ 2:14
Top stories for Dec. 17
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved ▶ 1:29
AirBnB shuts down Montrose ‘Grand House’ again after KPRC 2 gets involved
Petfinder change sparks concern from Houston-area rescues that rely on out-of-town adoptions ▶ 1:07
Petfinder change sparks concern from Houston-area rescues that rely on out-of-town adoptions
What to do if you come across an aggressive dog ▶ 1:25
What to do if you come across an aggressive dog
Previous photo Next photo