Sunny Hostin, a co-host of “The View,” repeatedly identified herself to police as a “former federal prosecutor” after her Harvard-educated son was stopped for allegedly trespassing on Metro-North railroad property, according to newly released body camera footage that shows the television personality asking officers to show leniency.
“My name is Sunny Hostin and I’m one of the co-hosts of ‘The View’ and I’m a former federal prosecutor,” Hostin says to an officer during a phone call captured in bodycam video obtained by INC News.
When she later arrived at the location, Hostin continued to explain the situation and advocate on her son’s behalf.
Bodycam footage shows “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin talking with MTA police while her son, Gabriel Hostin, stands nearby following a trespassing stop on Metro-North railroad property. (Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA))
“That’s my son. He’s a Harvard graduate. He doesn’t have a criminal record,” she tells officers. “He’s not a kid who’s ever in trouble. It’s an innocent mistake.”
Records obtained by INC News state that Gabriel Hostin was stopped by Metropolitan Transportation Authority police just before 8 p.m. on June 16, after officers said they saw him on the Metro-North railroad right-of-way at the New Rochelle station.
Authorities said he had entered a restricted area where “NO TRESPASSING” signs were posted.
Sunny Hostin of “The View” speaks with Metropolitan Transportation Authority police after her son, Gabriel Hostin, was stopped for alleged trespassing on Metro-North property in New Rochelle, New York. (Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA))
An MTA Police spokesperson told INC News the 23-year-old was observed running near an electrified third rail before officers stopped him near Commerce Drive, conducted a criminal background check and escorted him from the area.
Because Hostin had no criminal history and cooperated with officers, police said he was issued a summons for trespass and released.
The bodycam video shows Gabriel Hostin asking officers whether issuing the summons was necessary.
Co-host Sunny Hostin speaks during ABC’s “The View” on July 6, 2026. (ABC/TheView)
“Because it is an arrestable offense. I want to make that clear,” one officer tells him.
“We’re dimming it down to a trespass violation because you were in the right-of-way.”
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The officer goes on to explain that police were taking his lack of criminal history into account.
“We know you’re not a criminal or anything like that, but our hands are tied with cameras everywhere,” the officer says.
Hostin again urged officers to exercise discretion.
“He’s a Harvard grad who teaches fourth-grade geometry to South Bronx kids,” she says. “He’s not a kid who’s ever in trouble. It’s an innocent mistake.”
A Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) subway sign is pictured on June 29, 2017 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
According to charging documents obtained by INC News, an officer alleged he observed Gabriel Hostin on the active railroad right-of-way at the New Rochelle station “in violation of the posted NO TRESPASSING signs.”
The citation narrative similarly states officers observed him on the railroad right-of-way before conducting a warrant check that came back negative and issuing him an appearance ticket for trespass.
The records also include photographs of warning signs reading, “NO TRESPASSING – PRIVATE PROPERTY – VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED,” posted near the entrance to the property, along with photos of the gated access point.
According to court records, Gabriel Hostin is scheduled to appear in New Rochelle City Court on July 31.
In a letter obtained by TMZ, Hostin argued her son mistakenly entered the property while jogging after spotting what appeared to be a gravel incline suitable for hill training.
She said the entrance gate was open and that the only “No Trespassing” sign was attached to the left gate and was not visible when he entered.
The bodycam video also sparked reaction online, with several conservative accounts criticizing Hostin for invoking her legal background during the encounter.
The View’s Sunny Hostin claimed earthquake, cicadas and the eclipse could be seen as signs of climate change. (screenshot)
Libs of TikTok contrasted Hostin’s past remarks that “no one is above the law” with her comments to officers that she was “a former federal prosecutor” and that her son was a Harvard graduate with no criminal record.
End Wokeness posted a similar critique, arguing the footage conflicted with Hostin’s previous public comments about equal treatment under the law.
INC News reached out to Hostin’s representatives for comment.
