Brooklyn, NY – In a shocking turn of events, Jay Bryant, also known as “Bradshaw Dewitt,” “Jason Robinson,” “Morgan Bryant,” “Deshawn Sadler,” “Jay Sadler,” and “Big Jay,” pleaded guilty to the October 30, 2002, firearm-related murder of Jason Mizell, also known as “Jam Master Jay,” a member of the famed hip hop group Run-DMC.
According to court records, Bryant’s guilty plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg. When sentenced, Bryant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison. This sentence also applies to separate narcotics trafficking and firearms charges to which Bryant already pleaded guilty and that were accepted by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan on December 2, 2023.
The murder of Jam Master Jay was a brutal and senseless crime that shook the music industry and the community at large. Bryant’s involvement in the crime was a result of a larger narcotics conspiracy, which involved the sale of kilogram-quantities of cocaine in the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere.
According to court filings, between the 1990s and 2002, Mizell was involved in arranging for the sale of kilogram-quantities of cocaine. In August 2002, Mizell acquired approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine on consignment from a supplier. The cocaine was intended to be distributed in Maryland by co-defendants Karl Jordan, Jr., Ronald Washington, and other co-conspirators.
However, a dispute between Washington and one of the co-conspirators in Baltimore resulted in Mizell cutting Washington and Jordan out of the Maryland drug deal worth almost $200,000. Following this betrayal, Washington and Jordan continued in the larger narcotics conspiracy until they ultimately cut out Jason Mizell by murdering him on October 30, 2002.
Bryant’s role in the murder was to facilitate access for the killers, Jordan and Washington, to enter the recording studio where Mizell was present. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on October 30, 2002, Bryant entered the building containing the recording studio and opened a locked fire escape exit door to allow Jordan and Washington to enter the building without being seen by Mizell.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF New York), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty plea. The prosecutors and law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to bring accountability for the victim and his family, and their efforts have finally led to a guilty plea.
Defendant: Jay Bryant
Criminal Charges: Gun-related murder, narcotics trafficking, and firearms charges
City and State: Brooklyn, New York
Date: October 30, 2002
Sentence: Mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison
Dollar Amount: $200,000 (value of the Maryland drug deal)
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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