Judge sentences 71-year-old Beloit man to 29 years for sexually assaulting 4-year-old

JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO) — Michael Brenton, 71, of Beloit, has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl. Prosecutors said Brenton will be 100 before he is released.

According to Rock County District Attorney Jason Sanders, the victim told police about the abuse in March 2025.

Brenton was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child and pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday.

“The victim’s innocence was taken by the defendant when he sexually assaulted the four-year-old victim,” Assistant District Attorney Alex Goulart told the court.

Brenton’s defense argued for a sentence of 7 years, due to his age and having no prior criminal record.

However, Judge Karl Hanson challenged Brenton’s “complete lack of accountability,” and told Brenton, “you were a pedophile, a rapist, and a sex offender. No lifetime of good deeds can overcome that.”

Hanson ultimately sentenced Brenton to 29 years in prison.

“It is absolutely disgusting that this pedophile had the gall to blame anyone but himself,” said Sanders. “I truly appreciate Judge Hanson for speaking directly to the victim’s family and echoing that the only person to blame was the child molester.”