Man sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for choking girlfriend

A Des Moines man was sentenced Tuesday to between eight and 30 years in prison for assaulting and choking his former girlfriend.  

A Polk County jury convicted Brian Scott Cooper, 51, of domestic abuse assault impeding air/blood flow causing bodily injury, a class D felony, and domestic abuse assault third or subsequent offense, a class D forcible felony, on March 12, 2025.

District Associate Judge Ashley Stewart sentenced Mr. Cooper to consecutive 15-year terms, for a total of 30 years. Because the defendant is a habitual offender and was convicted of a third domestic abuse charge, he must serve a mandatory eight years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

He also loses his right to possess or carry a weapon and cannot have any contact with the victim.

Mr. Cooper had previously been convicted of domestic abuse assault on at least two previous occasions, in Illinois and Minnesota, as well as other charges (including at least two prior felonies) in other states.

Evidence included videos of the defendant assaulting the victim in July 2024. The two were living together the week leading up to the assault and were engaged in an on-and-off-again intimate relationship during the previous year. The jury found this constituted a domestic relationship.   

The trial was held at Drake University as part of the Law School’s annual first-year trial practicum, where students observe a jury trial from start to finish. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Caleb Copley and Drake law student and student attorney Monica Pietig, with assistance from Melanie Lumley and Marcia Fritz. The investigation was led by Des Moines Police Officer Jerrud Severance.