ALBANY — A Janesville man has been arrested and facing attempted murder charges following an altercation on the Sugar River last weekend.
According to Green County Sheriff Cody Kanable, at approximately 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, the Green County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a male subject was unresponsive and not breathing as a result of a fight on the Sugar River.
“This location is approximately 1 mile southeast of the Village of Albany and is a remote area of the Sugar River with limited access for first responders,” Kanable said in a press release.
Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Albany Fire Department, Albany EMS, Albany Police and Green County EMS responded to the area.
“While responding, bystanders had started life saving measures by conducting CPR on the victim,” Kanable added.
The initial investigation determined that a large fight occurred in and along the river at that location.
“The victim attempted to break up the fight and was assaulted which rendered him unconscious,” Kanable said. “Through bystander assistance, the assault was stopped and care was rendered to the victim. He was placed in a tube and floated down river. The victim was located down river by first responders, where he was conscious and evaluated by EMS personnel.”
Through further investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives, it was determined that Brett P. Lux 19, of Janesville, was the offender of the assault.
“Lux physically assaulted the victim by placing him in a chokehold and holding him underwater multiple times rendering him unconscious before being physically separated by others present,” Kanable said.
Probable cause was developed as a result of the investigation, and Lux was arrested at 5:27 p.m. the following day, May 31, in the City of Janesville. Lux was transported and booked into the Green County Jail where he was held pending court.
For years, a mix of alcohol and/or drugs, plus hours in the sun have led to tubers on the Sugar River causing incidents that lead to calls for first responders and law enforcement. The incidents have become a regular occurrence over the years.
In July 2020, a 25-year-old Madison man died from accidental drowning on the river, which can be dangerous due to the current and its muddy water. Downed trees, branches and debris can make it hard for first responders to get into the river and help.
“The Sugar River in between Albany and Brodhead has been utilized for several years for recreation to float down river on inflatable tubes, Kanable said. “Certain individuals use the time to float down the river to over consume alcohol, use illicit narcotics and assault individuals. The Sheriff’s Office has taken a firm zero tolerance for violence in the community and will focus patrols to change behavior on the Sugar River.”
Through the investigation it was determined that Lux has other pending criminal cases in which he had been released back into the community after being charged with felony offenses after posting minimal cash or signature bonds.
On June 3 Lux appeared before Judge Faun Marie Phillipson in Green County Circuit Court and formally charged with Attempted First Degree Intentional Homicide, Strangulation and Suffocation, and four counts of felony bail jumping.
A cash bond of $100,000 was imposed by Judge Phillipson, along with multiple other non-monetary conditions. As of June 4, Lux was still held in the Green County Jail on the cash bond.
Though just 19, Lux has already become a frequent entry into the court system. At 17, he was cited in the City of Janesville for his first OWI, and six months later was hit with an underage drinking/possession of alcohol ticket.
In May 2025, at 18, he was charged with his first felonies as party to a crime for possession of narcotics and methamphetamine, cocaine, as well as misdemeanor battery, carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly conduct and possession of THC and cocaine. That case is still pending, with a status conference in Walworth County set for June 18. In September 2025, just a month after turning 19, he was charged with felony burglary as a party to a crime.
Earlier this year, Lux was caught for a third time for underage drinking/possession of alcohol, and on April 6, he was back in court on new charges for felony armed burglary and theft.
On his newest charges from the Sugar River incident, his next preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11 in front of Judge Phillipson in Green County Circuit Court.