Jason Raysean Broadbent, a 38-year-old resident of Sacramento, admitted guilt on Thursday to several charges, including assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon and possession of methamphetamine near a school with the intent to distribute. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith made the announcement.
Court documents reveal that on November 19, 2015, federal agents visited the home of Broadbent’s girlfriend in Sacramento to execute a search warrant. After announcing their presence without response, they entered the residence and identified themselves as police officers executing a search warrant. Broadbent responded by firing shots through a bedroom wall at the agents but missed them. He then fled through the back door and aimed his Glock semi-automatic pistol at an ATF agent outside, who subsequently shot him multiple times. Broadbent received medical treatment for his injuries and recovered.
Inside the bedroom from which he fired at the agents, authorities discovered nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, a revolver, and a small safe containing another semi-automatic pistol and a pipe bomb. Broadbent intended to distribute the methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of Christian Brothers High School and was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
A separate search warrant executed at Broadbent’s residence revealed approximately 2.5 pounds of methamphetamine alongside a loaded pistol found in the same backpack as the drugs. Additionally, two unserialized AR-15 style short-barreled machine gun rifles were located; both were equipped with conversion devices to enable fully automatic fire.
The case is part of an investigation conducted by multiple agencies including Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from local law enforcement departments such as Sacramento Police Department and others. The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Spencer, Justin Lee, and Nicole Vanek.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 23, 2025, before Judge Daniel J. Calabretta. While Broadbent faces up to life imprisonment and fines amounting to $20 million under statutory penalties, the plea agreement suggests a sentence of 50 years in prison. The court will determine the actual sentence based on various factors outlined in Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime by uniting law enforcement agencies with community groups to enhance neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, an enhanced strategy was launched by the U.S. Department of Justice focusing on trust-building in communities and supporting violence prevention initiatives among other goals.
