Former city staffer facing custodial sexual battery
A former Sanibel Recreation Center employee is accused of sexually abusing at least one juvenile.
Krystal Shaina Hurd, 42, of 16109 Galiano Court, Punta Gorda, was arrested and charged by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 20 with one count of sexual assault by a custodian sexual battery victim 12 years of age under 18 years of age. As of Nov. 2, she remained at the Lee County Jail on no bond.
According to records from the Lee County Clerk of the Courts, Hurd is facing one count of familial or custodial sexual battery, a first-degree felony punishable by life. Her arraignment is set for Nov. 24.
Hurd was a part-time recreation aide at the Sanibel Recreation Center from Sept. 20, 2005, through April 19, 2009. According to her personnel file from the city, she requested termination of her employment in 2009 to relocate out of state for her active duty spouse stationed in North Carolina.
Hurd is accused of having sexual intercourse and oral sex with a male age 12-17 on one or more occasions between Nov. 19, 2008, and Nov. 18, 2014, while acting in a custody role for him.
According to court documents, she met the victim while working at the center — along with three additional victims who also provided statements about Hurd, including “disclosures of sexual abuse.”
On Sept. 16, 2020, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) received a report from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office regarding a past occurred sex crime involving a child that occurred within Lee County. LCSO detectives contacted and conducted an interview with the then 23-year-old victim.
He reported that he first met Hurd when he was in fifth grade. He and the other victims would spend vast amounts of time with her at the center and outside of the programming. She purchased clothing to dress him. Their first physical interaction was a kiss at age 11, and at age 12, they started having sex.
He reported that they would frequent multiple hotels with the other victims present. At about age 13 or 14, he moved in with Hurd and her husband due to problems at home. They continued to have sexual relations until he was almost age 19. Hurd told him that she was going to divorce her husband and they would be together when he was 18 and they would get married. He ended the relationship at age 19.
He identified three additional individuals who may also have been victimized by Hurd.
On Oct. 13, 2020, an interview was conducted with the second victim, a then 22-year-old female.
She reported that she met Hurd in fifth grade. Hurd also babysat her and the other victims outside of center functions. She reported that Hurd directed her and the first victim to have sex when they were about 16 years old and she remained in the room while it occurred. The first victim had reported that Hurd “planned it out” so that the second victim would lose her virginity at the same age as Hurd had.
The second victim reported that she was never forced to do anything sexual, but she felt she would be made fun of or bullied by Hurd or her friends if she did not. She also reported that Hurd had changed her last name without notifying her in advance, and it was unclear if she was legally adopted by Hurd.
On Oct. 2, 2020, an interview was conducted with the third victim, a then 22-year-old female.
She reported that Hurd took a particular interest in a group of children and would pay special attention to them. She believes that Hurd focused her time on them “because their parents were not highly involved in their lives.” She influenced how they dressed, brought them to locations around town and spent time with them.
She reported that Hurd directed her to engage in oral sex with another child who was affiliated with them at the time. Hurd would bring them to various hotels and they all stayed in one room. Although Hurd never physically forced her to participate in the incidents, she reported that she felt she did not have another choice and was compelled to because Hurd would manipulate her and the other victims.
On Oct. 10, 2020, an interview was conducted with the fourth victim, a then 22-year-old female.
She reported that her interactions with Hurd took place from about age 9-11. Once at a skating ring, Hurd helped her introduce herself to boys and tried to set her up on a date. She reported that Hurd also encouraged her to make out with another child who was affiliated with them at the time for practice.
During the investigation, LCSO detectives secured Hurd’s work laptop, four digital media cards and a USB flash drive. They reviewed 1,706 photos and 101 videos. According to court documents, there were numerous photos of Hurd interacting with the victims and posing with the first victim, including photos of the victims not fully clothed and videos of her dancing sexually with the first victim.
A warrant was issued for Hurd’s arrest on Oct. 14.
Asked why it took so long to charge Hurd, the LCSO provided the following statement:
“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office first became aware of this incident in September of 2020. Upon receipt of the information, our Special Victims Unit immediately began an investigation.
“As with all cases involving multi-jurisdictions, LCSO has continued to work with our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to gather and analyze a multitude of evidence related to this case, to secure successful prosecution.
“Please reach out to the State Attorney’s Office for more detailed information on the process pertaining to the charging documents that may assist with your inquiry on the timeline.”
Upon news of Hurd’s arrest and the allegations against her, city of Sanibel Recreation Department Director Andrea Miller sent out the following letter to parents and guardians of the center:
“I am writing to you regarding a deeply troubling matter that has come to our attention. The city of Sanibel, including the Sanibel Police Department, was informed of the arrest and charging of a former part-time recreation aide who was employed at the Sanibel Recreation Center from 2005 to 2009. The individual has been charged with sexual battery involving children.
“First and foremost, we are profoundly saddened and disturbed by this news. Our thoughts are with the individuals and families involved. We recognize the gravity of these allegations and the concern they may cause within our community.
“The entire Recreation Department staff and I want to assure you that the safety, well-being, and care of your children are our highest priority at the Sanibel Recreation Center. We maintain rigorous hiring practices, including background checks against the FBI national database and child safety training for all staff, and we continuously review and strengthen our protocols to ensure a secure and nurturing environment.
“While the individual in question has not been affiliated with the Recreation Center for over 15 years, we understand that this news may raise concerns. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff or the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
“We thank you for your trust and partnership as we continue to provide a safe, enriching space for your children to grow, play, and thrive.”
Hurd’s arraignment on Nov. 24 is set for 8:30 a.m. before Circuit Court Judge J. Frank Porter.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email