Maxwell Anderson, the Milwaukee man convicted of killing and dismembering 19-year-old Sade Carleena Robinson, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This sentence follows his conviction on all counts, including first-degree intentional homicide and dismembering a corpse. The sentencing hearing on August 1, 2025, was an emotional moment for Robinson’s family, who spoke out about the horrific crime Anderson committed.
Details of the Crime and Conviction
Anderson, 34, was convicted by a jury in June 2025 for the killing of Robinson, which occurred in April 2024. Investigators revealed that Anderson met Robinson on a first date before killing her and spreading her remains around Milwaukee County. Authorities used surveillance video, cell phone records, and photos found on Anderson’s phone to build their case. One of the photos showed Anderson groping Robinson while she appeared incapacitated.
Further evidence placed Robinson’s vehicle at a park near Lake Michigan on April 2, 2024, where prosecutors said Anderson dismembered her body. An informant also came forward, revealing that Anderson had detailed his plans for the murder.
The jury convicted Anderson on several charges, including arson and hiding a corpse. The judge, Laura Crivello, sentenced Anderson to life in prison with no possibility of parole, citing the unconscionable nature of the crimes. Anderson’s defense attorney, Anthony Cotton, requested that his client be eligible for parole, but this request was denied. Anderson also claimed he was innocent, stating he planned to appeal the conviction.
Emotional Statements from the Victim’s Family
During the sentencing, Sade Robinson’s mother, Sheena Scarbrough, expressed her anger and grief, calling Anderson a “demon” and accusing him of destroying not only her daughter’s life but the entire community. Carlos Robinson, Sade’s father, also addressed the court, stating, “Everything that he did should be done to him.” Both parents expressed how the loss of their daughter has affected their lives, with Scarbrough stating that “you messed the entire community up”.
Scarbrough fiercely addressed Anderson, telling him, “You plotted and planned to kill, dismember, then you disrespectfully spread my daughter across Milwaukee like a piece of trash. How dare you?” She vowed that Anderson could no longer hurt her daughter, saying, “She’s in heaven. She’s protected. We roll deep. My ancestors roll deep.”
Additional Sentencing
Judge Crivello also sentenced Anderson to additional prison time for other charges: seven and a half years for dismemberment and one and a half years for arson. However, she dismissed the count of hiding a corpse after Anderson’s attorney argued that he could not be convicted of both that charge and the mutilation charge.
What Happens Next?
While Anderson’s life sentence without parole has been handed down, his attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction. The case has sparked further conversations around violence, safety, and accountability, particularly in how crimes of such brutality are handled by the justice system.
Maxwell Anderson’s conviction and sentencing bring some measure of justice to the family of Sade Carleena Robinson, though no punishment can undo the pain caused by the senseless loss of her life. The emotional impact of the case, coupled with the horrific nature of the crime, highlights the deep trauma inflicted on Robinson’s family and the Milwaukee community. As Anderson faces life in prison, the case serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of unchecked violence.
