A Kentucky man pleaded guilty today to firing gunshots at current Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg during Greenberg’s 2022 campaign.
According to court documents, on the morning of Feb. 14, 2022, Quintez Brown, 23, of Louisville, walked into Greenberg’s campaign office, where Greenberg was having a meeting with four staffers. Brown fired multiple shots at Greenberg before staffers were able to close and barricade the door. Brown was apprehended several blocks from the shooting, carrying the firearm that he had used in a backpack. As part of his guilty plea, Brown admitted that he shot at Greenberg because Greenberg was running for mayor.
Brown pleaded guilty to interfering with a federally protected activity and using and discharging a firearm in relation with a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 21. If the court accepts the terms of the plea agreement, Brown faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 18 years and one month in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky; Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Shawn Morrow of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF) Louisville Division made the announcement.
The FBI Louisville Field Office, ATF Louisville Division, and Louisville Metro Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Alexander Gottfried of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Gregory for the Western District of Kentucky are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Barry Disney of the Criminal Division’s Mental Health Litigation Unit.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, this task force has led efforts to address threats against election workers ensuring they can perform their duties free from threats or intimidation.
The task force collaborates with election communities as well as state and local law enforcement agencies to assess allegations or reports regarding threats against election workers while investigating these matters when appropriate alongside FBI Field Offices and U.S Attorneys' Offices nationwide.
Led by The Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section along with other entities within The Justice Department such as The Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section Civil Rights National Security Divisions plus key interagency partners including DHS & USPS Inspection Service more information about combating threats against election workers can be found via Deputy AG memo
To report suspected threats or violent acts contact your local FBI office requesting an Election Crimes Coordinator available contact details www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices alternatively call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) file online complaint www.tips.fbi.gov complaints submitted reviewed by task force referred investigation response accordingly imminent danger risk harm contact 911 local police immediately.
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