Ex-U. of Wisconsin Student Sentenced to 3 Years for Sexual Assaults, Stalking

A former University of Wisconsin-Madison student will serve three years in prison and face eight years of probation upon his release after he pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual assault, as well as choking and stalking charges.

Prosecutors wanted Alec Cook, 22, to serve up to 19 years behind bars, but the judge in the case gave Cook credit for not having a prior criminal record, not violating bail, and apologizing to his victims in person.

Cook, who was expelled from the college last year, was originally charged with 34 counts of sexual assault, stalking and choking. After a female student reported to police that Cook had raped her and the case became public, dozens of other women came forward to report similar incidents.

Police believe that Cook had assaulted women for over a period of about two years.

A victim said in her impact statement, “Part of me died in order to survive that night with him and that part of me will never grow back,” WKOW-TV reported, per the Chicago Tribune.