By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Wednesday, May 6, Shawn Braxton, 49, of Atlantic City, was sentenced by the Honorable Jorge F. Coombs, J.S.C., to a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison with a parole ineligibility period of three and a half years and a concurrent term of four years in New Jersey State Prison.
Braxton previously pleaded guilty to second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun without a Permit and third-degree Aggravated Assault, Atlantic County officials said.
According to Atlantic County officials, on December 7, 2024, Atlantic City Police Department officers were flagged down by a female who indicated she had been assaulted by a male.
Upon engaging in a conversation with the male, later identified as Braxton, an argument ensued, and Braxton spat on the female and punched her in the face, ACPO officials say.
ACPO officials stated Braxton also attempted to spray the female with pepper spray, but missed. ACPD officers located Braxton, and he was placed into custody.
Atlantic County officials say that on June 29, 2025, Atlantic City Police Department officers observed a vehicle with no front license plate that had been involved in an incident on June 24, 2025, where a handgun was pulled.
The vehicle was stopped, and Braxton was the passenger in the vehicle. ACPD officers unlawfully seized a black backpack, ACPO authorities say. 
Upon searching it, according to Atlantic County officials, officers located a handgun within the bag. After review of surveillance, officers learned that Braxton had entered the vehicle while holding that backpack.
At his plea, Braxton took full responsibility for the weapon, ACPO officials said.