Gainesville Jury Finds Man Guilty of Rape, Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

On Friday, a jury in Gainesville found Travis Lamont Hale, 47, guilty of sexual battery (rape), felony battery and domestic battery by strangulation. 

Hale was also on trial for a misdemeanor count of property damage, the only charge the jury acquitted him of. 

With a maximum sentence of nearly 43 years of imprisonment, Judge Denise Ferrero sentenced Hale to 20 years in prison followed by five years of sex offender probation.

On November 9, 2024, Hale accused the victim of infidelity despite her just being with family members. Hale called the victim’s family to confirm she was with them. Hale continued arguing with the victim even after getting the confirmation. 

Hale told the victim to drive him home, and she didn’t want to because of prior incidents where Hale hit her while driving. The two got in the car, and the victim began driving. Hale yelled at her while in the passenger seat and allegedly  destroyed the victim’s phone.  

The victim told police that Hale destroying her phone caused her greater fear of physical harm because he hadn’t previously destroyed her belongings. 

Hale demanded the victim let him out of the car near a Steak and Shake. 

Hale later showed up to the victim’s residence and was calm at first but soon after accused her of having another man over. Hale began searching around the residence and the victim did not respond to the renewed allegation. Hale became increasingly aggravated and when the victim eventually did say something he viciously beat her and strangled her unconscious.

Hale went on to try and be apologetic and cried over the injuries that he caused the victim. Hale continued to be abusive, forcing the victim to come with him to work and not letting her leave his sight. The following Monday, Hale raped the victim.  

Hale currently remains in the Alachua County Jail awaiting transportation to a Florida Department of Corrections facility.