Former Convict Faces New Legal Troubles
Jonathan Braun, a New York man whose 10-year prison sentence for drug trafficking was commuted by former President Donald Trump in early 2021, has been arrested on domestic violence charges in Long Island. The 41-year-old faces three counts of assault for allegedly attacking his wife and her 75-year-old father at their Atlantic Beach home, according to a Nassau County police report.
Details of the Allegations
Braun’s arrest on Tuesday follows allegations that he physically assaulted his wife on two separate occasions, causing her significant pain, bruising, and dizziness. The police report states that during one incident on August 12, Braun threw his wife to the floor and punched her in the head multiple times. On July 17, he allegedly threw her from a bed onto the floor, again causing injury. During one of these altercations, Braun is also accused of punching his father-in-law in the face twice.
In addition to the domestic violence charges, Braun was charged with larceny for allegedly evading $160 worth of tolls by driving through E-ZPass lanes in sports cars without license plates about 40 times.
Court Proceedings and Legal Defense
Braun pleaded not guilty to all charges during a court appearance on Wednesday. Despite prosecutors’ request for $35,000 bail, Braun was released on his own recognizance. His attorney, Arthur Gershfeld, emphasized that the charges are “mere allegations” and vowed to defend Braun vigorously in court.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly expressed disagreement with the judge’s decision to release Braun without bail but did not comment directly on the domestic violence allegations. She stated that her office is thoroughly reviewing the evidence in preparation for prosecution.
Background: Commuted Sentence and Previous Convictions
Braun’s legal troubles are not new. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to drug-related charges, including his involvement in smuggling over 100,000 kilograms of marijuana from Canada into the United States. The drugs were primarily trafficked through Native American reservations along the border and distributed by street-level dealers in the New York City area. Prosecutors described Braun as a high-ranking member of an international drug smuggling organization, known for using threats and violence to enforce drug debts and intimidate associates.
Despite the severity of his crimes, Braun’s sentence was commuted by Trump in January 2021 during the final days of his presidency, without explanation. This decision, like many others made by Trump in his last days in office, drew significant attention and controversy.
In addition to his drug conviction, Braun was involved in a civil case brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which resulted in a $20 million judgment against him in February. The FTC accused Braun of operating a loan company that illegally withdrew money from customers’ accounts and used threats of violence to collect payments.
