Why was a Fresno Police cadet arrested? Court filing shows allegations

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The criminal complaint filed in federal court following the arrest of a Fresno Police cadet reveals new information in the case against 27-year-old Joshua Brown.

The Fresno Police Department announced Thursday that , in late June 2024, the department was made aware of an investigation initiated by the FBI involving then-police cadet Joshua Brown.

The Fresno Police Department says Brown was taken into custody by the FBI on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and booked into the Fresno County Jail. Brown’s employment was terminated by the City of Fresno. Brown has since been charged with possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered NFA (National Firearms Act) weapon.

Federal court documents show that Fresno-based FBI agents were given legal permission in June to search the Instagram account and Google account associated with Brown. That search suggested that he had manufactured a fully-automatic MP5 submachine gun and he possessed an unregistered suppressor. On September 3, a special agent with the FBI authored a search warrant to search Brown’s residence in northwest Fresno.

On September 3, during the search of Brown’s apartment, prosecutors say they found a fully automatic MP5 submachine gun, a fully automatic AR-15-style rifle in the closet, and several firearm suppressors. They also found military and firearms-related décor and paraphernalia.

Both the MP5 and AR-15 were loaded, according to the complaint.

Investigators with the FBI say they reviewed Brown’s Instagram account and found that the MP5, AR-15, and one of the suppressors Brown posted to his account appeared to be the same MP5, AR-15, and suppressor recovered in his apartment.

Agents say he admitted that the MP5, AR-15, and suppressors belonged to him. He also admitted that he knew the MP5 and AR-15 were capable of fully automatic fire.

The Fresno Police Department says Brown was hired by the department in September 2023.  After Brown’s arrest, police say two additional department personnel have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

“The Fresno Police Department takes its responsibility to those living and working in our city very seriously. Allegations of misconduct will be thoroughly investigated in an ongoing effort to build and maintain the trust of our community,” Interim Chief Mindy Casto said.

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