(WI)
WEAU-TV, NBC/CW+-13 [Eau Claire WI]
March 19, 2025
By WEAU Staff
A former Pastor in Monroe County who was charged with sexual assault in 2023 pleads no contest and is sentenced to community service.
47-year-old Travis Becknell plead no contest to both charges of sexual exploitation by a therapist-member of the clergy and 4th-degree sexual assault.
Becknell was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and undergo sex offender treatment. If he does not comply with the terms of his sentence, he will have to serve 30 months in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, a victim reported to authorities that she attended the New Hope Fellowship Church in Sparta. She said the pastor of the church is Travis Becknell.
The complaint says the victim reported she was touched inappropriately and was spoken to inappropriately by Becknell. She also reported receiving inappropriate text messages from Becknell.
According to the complaint, the victim said she knew Becknell had done the same behavior to other women at the church.
A review hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2025, at 9:30 and a hearing is scheduled for September 20, 2027, at 9 a.m.