Long Island Drug Dealer Freed by Trump Convicted of Sexual Abuse and Threats
A Long Island drug dealer who was released from prison by President Trump has now been convicted of sexually abusing his children’s nanny and threatening a congregant at his synagogue. Jonathan Braun, 41, was sentenced to 27 months in Brooklyn federal court for violating the terms of his 2021 presidential pardon with new crimes.
In February, Braun entered the bedroom of his children’s live-in nanny, put her in a headlock, groped her breasts, and masturbated, as reported by the New York Times. The victim, who spoke at the sentencing hearing by phone, expressed deep emotional trauma and lasting trust issues as a result of the assault.
This incident was just one of several violent incidents Braun has been involved in since his release. He was initially arrested in 2010 for running a major cannabis distribution ring, smuggling millions of dollars worth of weed from Canada to New York. After serving three years of his 10-year sentence, Trump pardoned him on the last day of his presidency.
However, Braun’s criminal behavior continued after his release. In August 2024, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife and father-in-law. He also punched a man at a Shabbat dinner and shoved the man’s 3-year-old son to the ground in a separate incident.
Braun’s violent conduct extended to a synagogue, where he attacked a congregant and a hospital nurse. He also ran shady finance firms that charged exorbitant interest rates on small business loans, sometimes resorting to threats of physical violence to collect debts.
Prosecutors sought a five-year sentence for Braun, citing his brazen and violent behavior that instilled fear in his victims. Assistant US Attorney Tanya Hajjar emphasized that Braun had been given numerous chances and remained a serious danger to the community.
During sentencing, Braun’s federal public defender attributed his recent meltdowns to his use of hallucinogenic drugs. Judge Kiyo Matsumoto expressed hope that Braun’s expressions of remorse and commitment to a law-abiding life were genuine, urging him not to squander the opportunity for redemption.
