A convicted drug dealer who received presidential clemency from Donald Trump has been sent back to federal prison after committing a series of new offences while on release.
Violent Conduct Leads to Return Behind Bars
Jonathan Braun, a Long Island man previously sentenced for drug trafficking, received a 27-month prison sentence on Monday 10th November 2025 for multiple violations of his release conditions.
The court heard how Braun engaged in alarming behaviour including swinging an IV pole at a hospital nurse while threatening to kill her, assaulting his family's live-in nanny, and intimidating a fellow worshipper at his synagogue.
Brooklyn federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto acknowledged Braun's "expressions of remorse" but delivered a stern warning: "Don't squander it," she told the defendant, noting that many of his victims had surprisingly forgiven him.
Prosecutors Push for Maximum Sentence
Federal prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence, arguing that Braun represented a "serious danger to the community" and that extended imprisonment was "necessary to protect the public from further crimes."
In court documents, they detailed how Braun's "brazen and violent conduct caused fear and terror in his victims" across multiple incidents between January and March 2025.
The prosecution highlighted that despite living in a multimillion-dollar home and driving luxury vehicles, Braun had failed to make court-ordered fine payments and provided incomplete financial disclosures to probation officials.
Pattern of Criminal Behaviour
Braun's recent offences began in January when he cursed at nurses at a Long Island hospital emergency department. Prosecutors stated he picked up an IV pole connected to his arm and swung it toward an assistant nurse manager who was trying to calm him, while screaming that he would kill her.
In February, Braun entered his children's nanny's bedroom, placed her in a headlock and made unwanted sexual advances by grabbing her breasts. The traumatised nanny locked herself in a bathroom and called her husband to alert police.
During a March synagogue service, Braun assaulted another worshipper who asked him to be quiet, squeezing the man's arm tightly while demanding: "Do you know who I am?" and "Do you know what I could have done to you?"
Additionally, police revealed Braun had evaded bridge tolls at least 40 times in his luxury cars, accumulating $160 in unpaid fees.
Previous Conviction and Clemency
Braun originally received a 10-year federal prison sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to drug charges related to his role as a high-ranking member of an international group that smuggled over 100,000 kilograms (220,460 pounds) of marijuana from Canada into the United States.
After serving approximately one year, Donald Trump commuted his sentence in January 2021 during the final days of his first presidential term. While freed from prison, Braun remained under supervision requirements including paying fines and maintaining good behaviour.
Braun's defence lawyer, Kathryn Wozencroft, argued her client had shown rehabilitation efforts during seven months in custody, including psychiatric treatment, sobriety and regular meetings with a rabbi. She attributed his behaviour to addiction issues.
Judge Matsumoto credited Braun for time served since his April arrest, meaning his 27-month sentence will be reduced accordingly.
