On Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in the Circuit Court of Taney County, TRAVIS HOKE (d/o/b 6-18-1972), of Branson, entered a plea of guilty to the class C felony of domestic assault in the second degree, pursuant to a plea agreement with the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office. Hoke was scheduled to begin a bench trial before Circuit Court Judge Mark Orr when the plea agreement was reached. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hoke was sentenced by Judge Orr to five (5) years in prison for assaulting his girlfriend in December of 2011.

The case stemmed from a 9-1-1 call, which caused Branson Police to respond to the Palms Inn where officers discovered the victim, bloody and having been strangled by Hoke. Although the victim did not agree to participate with the prosecution of Hoke, the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office pursued the case with other evidence – exclusive of the victim’s testimony.

“Our community is safer when violent offenders are held accountable,” said Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell. “Our office will continue to pursue domestic violence convictions – even without victim participation – where there is sufficient evidence to support that a violent crime was committed.”

The maximum sentence for the class C felony of domestic assault in the second degree is up to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine of up to $5,000.00.