Court Finds Travis Lufkin Violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the Merrimack County Superior Court has found that Travis Lufkin, age 25, of Concord, New Hampshire, violated the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, RSA chapter 354-B. The case arose on May 19, 2024, when Mr. Lufkin struck the victim, a transgender woman, in the face at her place of work after he was asked to leave the property. Mr. Lufkin called the victim a homophobic slur when he struck the victim.

The Court found that the assault was motivated by Mr. Lufkin's animus towards the victim's gender identity.

"The New Hampshire Civil Rights Act protects every person from violence and intimidation motivated by bias," said Attorney General Formella. "The New Hampshire Department of Justice will continue to enforce the laws of this state fairly and consistently, hold offenders accountable, and protect the rights and safety of all Granite Staters."

Because the Court found that Mr. Lufkin violated the Act, the Court ordered Mr. Lufkin to have no contact with the victim or her family and ordered Mr. Lufkin to not to go within 350 feet of the victim, her home, or place of work for a period of three years. The Court also imposed a $5,000 fine against Mr. Lufkin with $4,000 of that fine suspended for three years, contingent on Mr. Lufkin's compliance with the remainder of the order. A violation of the terms of the injunction is a crime and may subject Mr. Lufkin to future civil and/or criminal penalties to include fines or incarceration.

The case was investigated by the Concord Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Peter MacKenna and Senior Assistant Attorney General Sean Locke, Director of the Civil Rights Unit.

The Civil Rights Unit worked closely with the Concord Police Department and the Merrimack County Attorney's Office throughout this matter. Mr. Lufkin was separately prosecuted by the Merrimack County Attorney's Office and pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and simple assault. He received a 12-month sentence on the second-degree assault charge, with six months suspended for three years, and a 12-month sentence on the simple assault charge, all suspended for three years, consecutive to the second-degree assault sentence if imposed.

The New Hampshire Civil Rights Act prohibits the use or threat of physical force, property damage, or trespass when motivated by a person's actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. Anyone who experiences or witnesses such conduct may contact the Civil Rights Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Justice at (603) 271-3650 or [email protected].