Man Arrested for Domestic Violence After Sentence Commuted
- A man in New York had his drug sentence commuted by Trump in 2021.
- He has now been arrested on Long Island for domestic violence.
- The case highlights the complexities of criminal justice reform and recidivism.
Jonathan Braun, a 41-year-old man from New York, has been arrested on domestic violence charges following a commuted 10-year prison sentence for marijuana trafficking. Braun was charged with three counts of assault after allegedly attacking his wife and her elderly father at their Atlantic Beach home. He pleaded not guilty in court and was released on his own recognizance, despite prosecutors seeking a $35,000 bail. Braun's attorney, Arthur Gershfeld, stated that they would vigorously defend against the allegations, emphasizing that they are merely accusations at this stage. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly expressed her disagreement with the judge's decision to release Braun without bail, noting that her office is continuing to review evidence for prosecution. Braun's criminal history includes a significant drug dealing conviction and a civil case resulting in a $20 million judgment from the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC accused him of running a loan company that illegally withdrew funds from customers and used threats of violence to collect debts. In 2019, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug-related charges. The recent domestic violence allegations detail an incident on August 12, where Braun's wife reported that he physically assaulted her, causing substantial pain and bruising. Braun is scheduled to return to court on August 29 as the legal proceedings continue.