A man who was arrested on sexual assault charges during the San Diego Pride Festival last year was sentenced Wednesday.

Michael William Howard was sentenced to eight years in state prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a man on July 13, 2025. The 41-year-old must also register as a sex offender.

At the time of his arrest, the San Diego Police Department said its special events team on duty in Balboa Park during last year’s San Diego Pride Festival spotted Howard walking in the area and took him into custody.

Police said he “matched the description of a wanted violent sexual predator who had been targeting the LGBTQ+ community” and “was wanted in connection with multiple cases involving the sexual assault of men in the Hillcrest area.”

However, the crime Howard pleaded guilty to pertains to one victim and court records do not indicate he is facing any other criminal cases in San Diego County.

In July 2025, Howard pleaded not guilty to kidnapping with the intent to commit rape and sodomy by use of force.

He could have faced life in prison if convicted on the two charges.