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A New York drug dealer whose 10-year federal prison sentence was commuted by former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of violating the terms of his supervised release. Jonathan Braun, a resident of Long Island, now faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years.
In early September, a federal judge in Brooklyn determined that prosecutors had proven the violations occurred "by a preponderance of the evidence." The ruling followed a series of hearings concerning Braun's conduct after his initial release. His sentencing is scheduled for October 9. The case has drawn attention as it involves one of the numerous individuals who received clemency during the final days of the Trump administration.
Braun was originally convicted for his role as the leader of a massive marijuana distribution and money-laundering operation. He had served about five years of his sentence when Trump commuted it in January 2021. However, his freedom was short-lived. Federal authorities arrested Braun again in April 2025 after he was charged in connection with several separate criminal incidents.
The violations that led to his recent conviction stemmed from a pattern of disruptive and criminal behavior. According to court documents and multiple reports, Braun was accused of numerous offenses, including menacing a hospital nurse and a fellow member of his synagogue. Further accusations detailed that he had groped his family’s nanny and systematically evaded bridge tolls.
Prosecutors argued that this behavior demonstrated that Braun was a danger to the community and had failed to abide by the conditions set for his release. The court's finding validates these arguments, placing Braun back into federal custody pending his final sentencing. His defense attorneys had argued against the allegations, but the judge ultimately sided with the prosecution's evidence.
