La Crosse man gets 30 days, 2 years’ probation in hate crime attack on transgender couple

LA CROSSE (WKBT) — A 41-year-old La Crosse man charged with attacking a transgender couple in a hate crime in a La Crosse park in July was sentenced Thursday to 30 days in jail and two years’ probation.

Travis Crawford, who was guilty because of a no contest plea to the charge of substantial battery with intent do do bodily harm, was accused of accosting a teen couple in Copeland Park on July 20. 

Crawford accused them of sexual activity and stealing his bike and called the pair “faggots,” according to the arrest report. He hit a 17-year-old transgender boy in the face, causing severe damage to his nose, according to the arrest report.

The victim’s companion, a transgender girl, told police she and her boyfriend were “messing around,” tickling, but not having sex, according to the report.

When police interviewed Crawford, he allegedly referred to the pair as “queer.”

In August, the La Crosse District Attorney’s Office filed an amended complaint, adding a hate crime modifier to the substantial battery charge.

Crawford was sentenced in La Crosse County Circuit Court, with 30 days in jail and six days credit and other conditions stipulated, including no contact with the couple.

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