Detective Arrested for Allegedly Supplying Guns to Gang
A newly promoted detective from Westchester has been arrested amid allegations of supplying firearms to a gang infamous for numerous murders and robberies on Long Island. This news is, well, pretty shocking.
Kylen Brownskill, 34, was detained Thursday morning in Mount Vernon following the indictment of 18 individuals connected to a weapons trafficking ring linked to the 48 Gang in Riverhead, as outlined by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities state that the firearms facilitated both fatal and non-fatal shootings.
Brownskill faces accusations of selling a 9mm Luger handgun to a known gang leader back in early 2021, as detailed in a 57-count indictment. This is quite serious.
The detective, who joined the Mount Vernon Police Department in 2022, is also believed to have conspired with felon Nikomas Allen, who was indicted in March 2021, along with another gang member, to purchase guns. The court documents claim he repeatedly offered to sell guns to Javonte Nash, a prominent figure in the 48 Gang, over the following year.
His last offer to Nash came on December 25, 2022, just three days before he began his tenure with the Mount Vernon Police Department and a week prior to entering the Westchester Police Academy.
Prosecutors assert that this violent crime syndicate, which has 17 members implicated in the indictment, is linked to multiple violent acts, including two murders, eight armed robberies, and five shootings, not to mention the possession of 13 illegal firearms.
Brownskill is facing charges of fourth-degree conspiracy related to these gun sales. Furthermore, he was charged with attempted third-degree grand larceny and third-degree possession of a forged instrument after being caught with a fake check on December 15, 2022.
Interestingly, this arrest occurred just a week after he received a promotion to detective. Prior to his employment with Mount Vernon, he was reportedly listed on the state’s law enforcement disqualification list after being fired in October 2020 while working as an apprentice corrections officer.
Following his arrest, the Mount Vernon Police Department announced intentions to review its hiring and screening protocols. Brownskill has been suspended pending the case’s outcome.
The department mentioned that a background check was conducted according to their procedures, yet no concerning information was returned. They described the situation as “unfortunate” and highlighted that the allegations arose “prior to his employment.”
The police department aims to ensure their practices meet high standards. Brownskill has pleaded not guilty and was released on supervised release with GPS monitoring. A court appearance is set for April 15.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday morning to share further information regarding this extensive indictment.
