UW-Madison Student Arrested for Illegally Recording Individuals in Residence Hall Restroom

Madison, WI – A 19-year-old University of Wisconsin-Madison student has been arrested and charged with multiple counts related to secretly recording individuals in a residence hall restroom. Braden Berndt, of Berlin, Wisconsin, was taken into custody on February 15, 2026, following reports from several students.

Details of the Incident

According to the UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD), multiple victims reported similar incidents involving an individual using a cell phone to record them while they were using restroom stalls. Victims described an unknown person in an adjacent stall dropping a cell phone onto the floor with the camera lens positioned to record under the stall divider. The phone was quickly retrieved after a few seconds.

In one instance, a victim who had experienced the same situation twice earlier in the day, secured the phone when it was dropped a third time. Upon examination, the victim discovered the device was actively recording and contained numerous similar recordings. The incidents were then reported to House Fellows, who subsequently contacted UWPD.

Charges Filed

Braden Berndt has been booked into the Dane County Jail on three counts of disorderly conduct and three counts of capturing an image depicting nudity without consent. UWPD stated the investigation is ongoing, and additional victims may come forward.

Call for Information

UWPD is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of similar incidents to contact them at 608-264-2677. Authorities have not yet specified which residence hall the incidents occurred in.

Ongoing Investigation

Formal charges against Berndt have not yet been filed as of February 17, 2026. The UWPD continues to investigate the matter and gather information to identify any further potential victims. Police are asking anyone with relevant information to come forward.