On August 28, 2023, federal officials in New York announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging former NYPD Officer Gina Mestre for her involvement in a racketeering conspiracy with members of the Shooting Boys gang. The charges against Mestre include obstructing a federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the gang. Mestre was arrested the previous night and is set to be arraigned later in the day before U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan federal court.
The Shooting Boys gang is a criminal organization based in the University Heights section of the Bronx. Since at least 2017, the gang has been involved in drug sales, gun violence, and acts of violence against rival gangs. The gang operated within the jurisdiction of the NYPD’s 52nd Precinct, with Andrew Done, also known as “Caballo,” as its recognized leader.
Mestre served as an NYPD police officer from July 2013 to May 2022 and was assigned to the 52nd Precinct’s Public Safety Unit. In the summer of 2020, the precinct and the Public Safety Unit focused on reducing gun violence, much of which was attributed to members of the Shooting Boys gang.
In June 2020, Mestre started communicating with Andrew Done through secret social media accounts and phone numbers. They began an intimate relationship, during which Mestre shared confidential non-public law enforcement information with Done and other gang members about the ongoing federal grand jury investigation into the Shooting Boys. Mestre warned Done and other gang members about the impending federal indictment against the gang, enabling them to conceal their criminal activity. She also disclosed the identity of a witness cooperating with law enforcement, allowing the gang to assault and intimidate the witness to prevent further cooperation.
On November 5, 2020, Done shot and killed a rival gang member while the victim was sitting in his car on Cromwell Avenue in the Bronx. Mestre was one of several officers who identified Done as the perpetrator based on security camera footage captured at the scene. However, during the manhunt to apprehend Done, Mestre secretly communicated with him, providing him with a copy of the video evidence and warning him about law enforcement’s efforts to capture him. This allowed Done to eventually flee from the United States.
In March 2022, ten members of the Shooting Boys were charged with various federal crimes, including racketeering conspiracy and murder. Done was charged specifically with the murder of the rival gang member and was later apprehended in the Dominican Republic. He pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy in November 2022 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison in February 2023.
Now, Mestre faces serious charges. She is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and being an accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, 5 years for conspiracy to obstruct justice, 20 years for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and 15 years for being an accessory after the fact to murder in aid of racketeering.
The arrest and indictment of Mestre highlight the disturbing collusion between law enforcement officers and criminal organizations. It undermines public trust in the police and the criminal justice system. The case also sheds light on the challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized crime and ensuring the integrity of investigations.
It is crucial for authorities to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those who abuse their positions of power and betray the public’s trust. Efforts must be made to prevent and deter such misconduct within law enforcement agencies. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and transparency in maintaining the professionalism and integrity of law enforcement.
The indictment of Mestre also serves as a warning to individuals who may be tempted to compromise their ethical obligations as law enforcement officers. Collaborating with criminal organizations and obstructing justice not only puts innocent lives at risk but also has severe legal consequences.
In conclusion, the arrest and indictment of former NYPD Officer Gina Mestre for her involvement in a racketeering conspiracy with the Shooting Boys gang is a significant development in the ongoing fight against organized crime. The charges against Mestre highlight the dangers of collusion between law enforcement officers and criminal organizations, and the need for strong measures to prevent and punish such misconduct. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the professionalism and integrity of law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of communities.
