A newly promoted Westchester detective with a stunning previous was busted for allegedly funneling weapons to infamous Lengthy Island gangbangers tied to a string of murders and armed robberies.
Kyren Braunskill, 34, was hauled into custody in Mount Vernon Thursday morning after being named in an 18-person indictment that charged him with peddling weapons to alleged members and associates of the “48 Gang” in Riverhead, in line with the Suffolk County District Legal professional’s Workplace.
The weapons had been utilized in each deadly and non-fatal shootings, prosecutors mentioned.
Braunskill llegedly offered a 9mm Ruger pistol to a high-ranking member of the Suffolk County gang in early 2021, in line with the 57-count indictment obtained by Lohud.
The cop, who joined the Mount Vernonr Police Division in 2022, can be accused of plotting gun buys with indicted thug Nickomas Allen and a member of one other syndicate in March 2021. The next 12 months he repeatedly supplied to promote a number of firearms to senior “48 Gang” operative Jayvonte Nash, court docket papers mentioned.
Braunskill’s final provide to Nash got here on Dec. 25, 2022 – three days earlier than he was employed by Mount Vernon police and simply over every week earlier than he attended the Westchester Police Academy, the outlet reported.
Prosecutors mentioned the vicious Suffolk felony group – of which 17 members are additionally charged within the indictment – is linked to 2 murders, eight armed robberies, 5 shootings and the possession of 13 unlawful firearms.
Braunskill was charged with fourth-degree conspiracy for the alleged gun offers. He was additionally hit with third-degree tried grand larceny and third-degree felony possession of a cast instrument after being caught with a fraudulent examine on Dec. 15, 2022, the outlet reported.
Previous to being employed by Mount Vernon, he was reportedly on the state decertification listing for regulation enforcement officers. The disgraced cop had been terminated whereas serving as a probationary corrections officer in October 2020, in line with the state Division of Corrections and Group Supervision.
Following his Thursday arrest – which got here precisely one week after he was promoted to detective – the Mount Vernon Police Division mentioned they may evaluate “its hiring and vetting practices.”
They positioned Braunskill on suspended responsibility pending the end result of the case, police informed PIX 11.
“A pre-employment background investigation was performed in accordance with division procedures, and no findings had been returned,” the division mentioned in a Fb put up Thursday night time, calling the indictment “disappointing” and stressing the allegations “precede his employment.”
“Based mostly on the data accessible at the moment, the choice was made to proceed along with his employment. In gentle of those developments, the Mount Vernon Police Division will evaluate its hiring and vetting practices to make sure they meet the best requirements.”
Braunskill was charged with fourth-degree conspiracy for the alleged gun offers. He was additionally hit with third-degree tried grand larceny and third-degree felony possession of a cast instrument after being caught with a fraudulent examine on Dec. 15, 2022, Lohud reported.
He pleaded not responsible and was launched on supervision with GPS monitoring, in line with the outlet. Braunskill is due again in court docket on April 15.
Suffolk County District Legal professional Ray Tierney is scheduled to carry a press convention Friday morning to offer further info on the sweeping indictment.
