Milwaukee — A Milwaukee man who admitted taking part in a sexual assault inside University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee housing has been sentenced to prison. On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Milwaukee County Judge David Borowski sentenced 26-year-old Brendan Hoover to four years in prison, followed by four years of extended supervision, and ordered him to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
Court records show Hoover pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual assault as part of a plea deal, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. The outlet reports the alleged assault traces back to the night of Feb. 2, 2024, when the victim left work, went to a downtown east-side bar and later woke up in a room at Kenilworth Square Apartments.
What investigators say
Police reviewed surveillance video that showed Hoover, another man and the victim leaving the bar together, and the victim later sought medical care for soreness, dizziness and nausea, per reporting by CBS58. During interviews with investigators, Hoover said he believed the encounter was consensual and told authorities he did not know whether the other man had obtained consent, according to court filings.
Court timeline and fallout
The trial of Hoover’s co-defendant, Heaven’l Parker, ended with a dismissal with prejudice in August 2025. That mid-trial ruling later prompted Reserve Judge John Franke to recuse himself from further proceedings, according to MinnLawyer. The recusal and earlier dismissal slowed the case, delaying Hoover’s sentencing as prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over how to proceed.
Sentence and legal notes
At Tuesday's hearing, Judge Borowski formally imposed four years in prison and four years of extended supervision and required 15 years of sex-offender registration, according to FOX6 Milwaukee. Hoover’s guilty plea to third-degree sexual assault resolved the criminal charges even as the case file highlighted the procedural controversy that had surrounded the co-defendant's trial.
Campus resources
UWM maintains survivor support and victim-advocacy services for students and staff, including confidential advocates, medical referrals and counseling, per the university's resource pages. The school’s Title IX office and Student Health and Wellness Center list contact information and walk-in advocacy hours for anyone affected by sexual violence, according to UWM.
What’s next
Hoover will begin serving his sentence after routine processing by county authorities. The dismissal with prejudice in Parker’s case means prosecutors cannot refile the same counts against the co-defendant, a point that helped fuel legal challenges and public discussion about courtroom procedure, as reported by MinnLawyer. On campus, the case has renewed conversations about student safety, timely communication and ongoing support for survivors.
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