Travis County District Attorney’s Office Secures Plea in Use of Force Case Against Former Officer Dubois
Travis County, TX — Today, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced that on Friday, February 13, 2026, former University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) Officer Austin Dubois pleaded guilty to Official Oppression, a Class A Misdemeanor, pursuant to an investigation into his excessive use of force during the arrest of Laison Crenshaw, 37, at Dell Seton Medical Center on February 22, 2024.
As part of the plea deal, Dubois will complete a 180-day pretrial diversion program, is required to permanently surrender his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license, and submit a letter of apology to the victim’s family. If Dubois successfully completes his terms of pretrial diversion, then his case will be dismissed.
On February 22, 2024, UTPD Officer Austin Dubois responded to a “code grey” at Dell Seton Medical Center to assist private security with a disturbance involving Laison Crenshaw, a patient at the hospital. Dubois determined that Mr. Crenshaw should be arrested. Dubois intentionally subjected Mr. Crenshaw to unlawful mistreatment by applying force, including pressing his knee on Mr. Crenshaw’s back for up to one minute, even after Crenshaw was already detained, handcuffed, and lying prone on the floor. Dubois later said that he saw no signs that Mr. Crenshaw was breathing. Despite this and multiple indications that Mr. Crenshaw was in severe medical distress, Mr. Dubois failed to request or render aid to Mr. Crenshaw. Medical staff administered life-saving measures and revived him, but he remained unconscious. On February 27, 2024, Mr. Crenshaw was declared deceased.
After his death, at the request of the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD), the Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers led the investigation into the custodial death of Laison Crenshaw and subsequently delivered their report to our Civil Rights Unit.
“Our hearts go out to the Crenshaw family for the loss of Laison,” stated Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “We are grateful to the Texas Rangers for bringing this incident to light, as this case was investigated collaboratively by their agency and our Civil Rights Unit. Ensuring accountability in law enforcement when laws are violated is essential for rebuilding community trust and maintaining the safety of our community.”
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