Jonathan Braun, a 41-year-old convicted drug trafficker from New York whose sentence was commuted by former President Donald Trump in 2021, has been found guilty of violating parole on multiple occasions — including violent, sexual, and financial misconduct — and now faces up to five years in prison.
Court Finds Six Violations Proven by “Preponderance of Evidence”
In a Friday ruling, Senior U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto found that Braun violated his conditions of supervised release by committing six offenses, including:
Two counts of menacing
One count of forcible touching
One count of petit larceny
One count of sexual abuse
One count of failure to pay court-ordered fines
The court used the “preponderance of the evidence” standard — a lower burden of proof than “beyond a reasonable doubt” — which is allowed in parole violation hearings.
Allegations Include Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The judge’s memorandum outlines disturbing incidents that occurred between July 2024 and March 2025:
On July 17, Braun allegedly threw his wife off a bed, causing bruising and substantial pain.
On August 12, he allegedly punched her in the head during another assault.
On February 15, Braun was arrested for allegedly groping the family’s live-in nanny, with further charges of sexual abuse added later. The nanny escaped by locking herself in a bathroom and calling for help.
On March 22, he allegedly swung an IV pole at a hospital nurse, while screaming he would “kill” her.
In another case, Braun allegedly threatened a fellow worshipper at a religious service who asked him to be quiet, saying, “Do you know what I could have done to you?” and referencing the “Angel of Death” in Hebrew.
Toll Evasion with Luxury Cars Also Among Violations
Braun is also accused of repeatedly evading tolls on Long Island by driving his Lamborghini and Ferrari without license plates, racking up $160 in unpaid tolls and fines. According to the court, surveillance showed at least 75 instances of toll evasion.
Lavish Lifestyle, Unpaid Fines
Despite reporting income to his probation officer, Braun failed to make payments on a $100,000 court fine, claiming his family supports him financially. The court noted he lives in a multi-million-dollar home, despite not contributing toward his legal obligations.
Judge Matsumoto wrote:
“Defendant lives in a multi-million dollar property, as depicted in the video evidence. He has not provided verification of employment and continues to shirk his financial responsibilities.”
Pardoned by Trump, Now Back in Legal Trouble
Braun, who was serving a 10-year sentence for drug trafficking, was granted clemency by President Trump in January 2021, in the final hours of his term. Braun’s sentence was commuted, not pardoned — meaning his conviction still stands, but he was released early.
Braun is now set to be sentenced on October 9, 2025, and faces up to five years in federal prison for his parole violations.
