Quintez Brown pleads guilty to shooting at then-mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg in 2022

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Activist Quintez Brown on Friday pleaded guilty in federal court to shooting at then-mayoral candidate Craig Greenberg in 2022 and faces a sentence of 15 years to 18 years in prison.

Brown, 23, was scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 13 on charges of interfering with a federally protected right and discharging a firearm during a violent crime and attempting to kill a candidate for elected office. He faced a possible life in prison sentence.

His attorneys had planned to present expert testimony that Brown was mentally ill at the time of the Feb. 14, 2022, shooting into Greenberg's campaign office in the Butchertown Market on Story Avenue.

No one in Greenberg's campaign office was injured, but he was grazed by a bullet that left a hole in the sweater he was wearing.

But on Friday, Brown changed his plea in U.S. District Court downtown, saying he was not suffering from a mental disorder and admitting to the charges.

However, he maintained that he did not attempt to kill anyone. Prosecutors, as part of the plea, agreed to not include the language referencing an attempt to kill.

U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Beaton will officially sentence Brown on Oct. 21. If the judge rejects the plea agreement, Brown can withdraw it.

"Did you shoot the weapon because he was campaigning for mayor?" Beaton asked Brown of Greenberg. "Yes, sir," Brown responded.

Beaton said he did not immediately foresee any reason to reject the plea deal.

Brown smiled and shook hands with his attorneys and waved to family and friends in the courtroom before he was led away after the hearing.

Brown is also charged in state court with attempted murder and four counts of wanton endangerment.

Attorney Rog Eggert, who represents Brown, told the judge state prosecutors have agreed to a 10-year sentence in that case, which will run at the same time as the federal sentence. That case will be concluded after Brown is sentenced in federal court.

In a statement after the hearing, Greenberg said that he respected the result and was "relived the other victims and our families won’t have to relive that horrific experience during a trial.

"Violence has no place in our political world. As a fortunate survivor, I will continue to work with strong resolve to end gun violence in our city and country. Thank you to the dedicated public servants with the US Attorney’s office, FBI, LMPD and other agencies who work every day to make our city and country safer."

No victims spoke at the hearing on Friday. Victims can request restitution but that has not been decided yet, according to prosecutors.

Brown was arrested Feb. 14, 2022 shortly after police said he used a 9mm Glock to fire shots into Greenberg's campaign office in the Butchertown Market on Story Avenue.

Prosecutors argued Brown had a "plan of action" starting in January 2022 when he purchased a gun. On Jan. 22, he practiced shooting at a gun range in Indiana, they said.

In February 2022, Brown looked online to find where Greenberg lived and where his campaign office was located.

On Feb. 13, 2022, Brown went to Greenberg's home with a gun, but it jammed when he put a bullet in backward, prosecutors alleged. He looked online how to fix it and if there was a place to buy another gun nearby before giving up and going home.

The next morning, as soon as a pawn shop opened downtown, Brown bought another gun and went to Greenberg's office, according to the prosecution.

This story may be updated.

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