Sacramento Felon Pleads Guilty After Shooting at Federal Agents, Stockpiling Meth and Illegal Firearms

SACRAMENTO, CA — A Sacramento man with a history of felony convictions pleaded guilty Thursday to a series of explosive federal charges, including shooting at federal agents, trafficking meth near a local high school, and possessing illegal firearms — including a pipe bomb and ghost gun machine rifles.

Jason Raysean Broadbent, 38, entered his plea before a federal judge on charges of assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, possession of methamphetamine near a school with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and possession of an unregistered short-barreled machine gun.

The charges stem from a November 19, 2015 incident in which agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) attempted to serve a federal search warrant at the Sacramento home of Broadbent’s girlfriend. After knocking and announcing themselves, agents forced entry when no one answered. Almost immediately after entering, Broadbent fired multiple shots through a bedroom wall, narrowly missing the federal officers.

Broadbent fled through a back door, climbed a fence, and pointed a Glock pistol at another ATF agent stationed on the perimeter. That agent opened fire, striking Broadbent multiple times. He survived his injuries and was later taken into custody.

Inside the home, law enforcement discovered nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, multiple firearms — including a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol stored in a safe alongside a pipe bomb — and evidence that the drugs were intended for distribution. Notably, the house was within 1,000 feet of Christian Brothers High School.

Later that day, investigators searched Broadbent’s primary residence and uncovered 2.5 more pounds of meth, a loaded pistol in the same backpack as the drugs, and two untraceable, fully automatic AR-15-style ghost guns with 9-inch barrels. Both weapons were equipped with “lightning link” devices to convert them into machine guns.

Due to his previous felony convictions, Broadbent was prohibited from possessing any firearms or explosives.

The multi-agency investigation was led by ATF with support from the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento County DA’s Office, Yolo County law enforcement agencies, the DEA, and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Spencer, Justin Lee, and Nicole Vanek are prosecuting the case.

Broadbent is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta. While the charges carry a potential life sentence and a $20 million fine, the plea agreement outlines a recommended 50-year prison sentence. The judge will make the final determination.

The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide strategy launched by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime through federal-local partnerships and community-based efforts.

🔊 Final Take:

This isn’t just another drug bust — it’s a full-blown takedown of a dangerous felon who turned a Sacramento neighborhood into a ticking time bomb. Broadbent wasn’t just a dealer — he was a would-be killer, aiming a loaded pistol at federal agents and hiding military-style weapons feet away from a school. This case underscores the vital importance of law enforcement cooperation, and why violent criminals with records must be taken off the streets before tragedy strikes. Justice is on the horizon — and 50 years behind bars is a good start.