On July 21, 2025, former LMPD detective Brett Hankison will be sentenced in federal court—bringing decades of troubling behavior into sharp relief. In addition to being found guilty in connection with the tragic killing of Breonna Taylor, multiple individuals have accused Hankison of harassment, false arrests, stalking, and sexual misconduct over the years, PRIOR to her untimely and entirely avoidable death. Their stories also demand our attention, considering the possibility exists that this corrupt ex-cop will once again face zero accountability for his crimes.
🔹 Kendrick Wilson – WHISTLEBLOWER, POLITICAL PRISONER
Kendrick Wilson, once a vocal critic of former LMPD detective Brett Hankison, is now behind bars—not for any proven crime, but for consecutive sentences of contempt of court, for refusing to participate in what he described as a modern-day lynching. Wilson has long alleged that Hankison targeted him with harassment, wrongful arrest, and retaliation, dating back years before the botched raid that killed Breonna Taylor.
Unjustly incarcerated, Wilson is effectively silenced. But his claims raise serious questions about the broader network of complicity and corruption surrounding Hankison—and the systemic failure to hold those in power accountable.
In lawsuits and interviews, Wilson claims Hankison used his badge to intimidate and arrest him without cause, often stemming from personal jealousies and shared romantic interests. Wilson’s outspoken exposure of these patterns—and more recently, details about LMPD’s and others’ role in misleading the public about circumstances surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death, made him a target again.
Prior to Breonna Taylor’s murder, Wilson filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Hankison repeatedly arrested him between 2016–2018 on baseless drug and assault charges, only to have prosecutors drop them. One arrest allegedly involved planting a bag of cocaine “several feet away” and joking with colleagues about it later. Wilson’s complaint calls Hankison a “dirty cop” with a vendetta—documenting three wrongful arrests, police raids on his home and barbershop, and dropped charges each time. WLKYThe Cut+2Oxygen+2TheGrio+2.
🔹 CHRIS THIENEMAN, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, BUSINESSMAN
A Louisville entrepreneur and activist who publicly clashed with Brett Hankison years before Breonna Taylor’s death. Thieneman also described Hankison as a “dirty cop,” reported him internally, and says he faced retaliatory surveillance and targeting by LMPD thereafter.
Thieneman is a former University of Louisville defensive lineman who went on to play professionally in the World League of American Football (WLAF) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). After his athletic career, Thieneman entered real estate development and political activism—running multiple times for Louisville public office. But he’s also been outspoken about conflicts he’s had with Hankison, accusing him of using his badge as leverage in personal vendettas and targeting Thieneman’s efforts to expose corruption within LMPD — paralleling claims from Kendrick Wilson, who says in interviews and court documents that Hankison targeted him for similar reasons
🔹 Internal LMPD Investigations
Records obtained by WLKY reveal at least four investigations into Hankison from 2005–2017, involving allegations such as theft, assault, misconduct toward female suspects, reckless driving, and improper weapon use. Some investigations resulted in formal reprimands or suspension—even as the department repeatedly ruled complaints unfounded WLKY.
🧍♀️ SEXUAL MISCONDUCT & STALKING ALLEGATIONS
- A Jefferson County complaint (filed Nov 2020) includes at least ten women, including Margo Borders, who allege Hankison used his badge and bar-security role to coerce rides, grope intoxicated women, and share intimate photos. Despite internal complaints, LMPD repeatedly cleared him—highlighting a disturbing culture of silence Louisville Public Media. The primary plaintiff, a law student, says Hankison—off-duty but in uniform—offered her a ride from a bar in April 2018. She says she passed out, he followed her into her apartment, and she woke to a violent sexual assault. She described being left “physically injured and mentally battered” and was terrified to report him out of fear of retaliation https://www.wave3.com+4The Washington Post+4CBS News+4.
- A second alleged victim (a graduate student) says in an Instagram post that in 2019 Hankison offered her a ride home, kissed her forehead, rubbed her thigh, and called her “baby”—actions she found horrifying and unwanted. No action resulted from her complaint Reddit+15The Washington Post+15Inside Edition+15.
- The lawsuit also notes that LMPD internally handled over 50 incident reports, including at least two Public Integrity Unit investigations into sexual misconduct—one for allegedly demanding sex in exchange for not filing charges, another for inappropriate advances toward a woman under investigation. In both cases, Hankison was exonerated by the department The Washington Post+1Reddit+1.
💬 REDDIT & COMMUNITY TESTIMONY
Reddit threads and public comments from Louisville residents describe Hankison’s predatory behavior at local bars—spiking drinks, approaching intoxicated women to take them home, and using stimulants. While anecdotal, these reports echo the misconduct pattern and reinforce broader allegations WLKY+7The Cut+7Louisville Public Media+7.:
“I personally know two women who he had approached at Tin Roof and they described him as creepy… He tried to take them home.”
“My friend’s neighbor hung out with Brett. I heard of some unsettling and wild things… Tons of stimulant use… spiking drinks… preying on wasted chicks…” Reddit+4Reddit+4Reddit+4
“He’s a complete dick bag. I’ve met him several times.”
“I know personally 2 people that have been sexually harassed by him while he was ‘on duty.’”RedditWHAS11+2Reddit+2Reddit+2
These statements align with the broader pattern alleged in lawsuits.
🔹 VICE NEWS EXPOSE
In this VICE News episode, the investigative team delves into systemic corruption within the LMPD’s narcotics unit—highlighting missing money, stolen drugs, and a culture of unchecked power. While Brett Hankison isn’t the primary focus, he is featured among the narcotics detectives under scrutiny. This episode places his raid-era conduct in a broader context of departmental misconduct and culture of impunity.
📌 The Truth They Tried to Bury
When Breonna Taylor was killed in March 2020, Kendrick Wilson wasn’t just an outspoken critic of police misconduct—he was actively working with attorney Sam Aguilar to investigate what really happened that night. Hired specifically to provide a street-level understanding of the botched raid that took Taylor’s life, Wilson uncovered crucial evidence that contradicted the official narrative being pushed by city leaders and media outlets.
It was Wilson’s findings that helped bring national attention to the lies and inconsistencies in LMPD’s account—truths that made those in power uncomfortable. Among them: former detective Brett Hankison, who not only played a direct role in the Taylor raid but had a longstanding history of antagonizing Wilson, including harassment over romantic rivalries and deep-seated personal vendettas.
As Wilson continued to speak out, the retaliation intensified. City officials and opportunistic influencers scrambled to undermine him. Manufactured accusations—like stalking and harassment—soon followed, often led by individuals with a vested interest in protecting the system Wilson was working to expose.
Today, Wilson remains behind bars, not for a crime—but for contempt of court, after refusing to participate in what he has called a “modern-day lynching.” Meanwhile, Brett Hankison—convicted in federal court for his role in Taylor’s killing—may receive no more than a single day behind bars.
That’s the imbalance we’re confronting. That’s why showing up matters.
📌 Why It Matters
These allegations—false arrests, assaults, internal probes, and victim testimony—paint a portrait of systemic abuse of power. With the DOJ’s shockingly light sentencing recommendation of just one day behind bars, the stakes are clear:
- Justice denied: Victims like Taylor, Wilson, Thieneman and Borders deserve accountability.
- Institutional failure: A record of tolerated misconduct signals that systemic reform remains unfinished.
- Creeping authoritarianism: A recent shift in political leadership has ushered in a wave of abusers, apologists and enablers— resulting in stalled accountability, weakened oversight, and quiet support for dirty cops like Hankison who repeatedly abuse their power.
- Community demand: Our presence isn’t just protesting an unjust sentence—we’re demanding acknowledgment of the full scope of harm inflicted.
⏰ What You Can Do
- Be present at the courthouse—your presence matters.
- Amplify these stories with social media threads and local press.
- Demand transparency: Urge Louisville Metro and DOJ to release full internal records and victim statements.
- Organize: Host vigils, resource tables, or share rapid updates to keep pressure on the judge.
This isn’t just about one verdict—it’s about justice for all who suffered under Hankison’s reign. Our collective voice can shape the outcome. Don’t let it go silent.
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