Two former New York City police officers accused by prosecutors of stealing a brothel key and robbing and groping a sex worker face federal charges, after a judge dismissed earlier state charges on a technicality, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced indictments of former patrol officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon, alleging that the two acted together in connection with a July 2024 incident in Queens. The charges filed in federal court include felony conspiracy against rights and willfully depriving an individual of her constitutional rights, according to the announcement.
Federal prosecutors said the officers were responding to a report of prostitution inside a building in Queens when they shut off their bodycams. They then approached a woman leaving the building and took a key to the residence from her, as well as cash from her purse, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said the officers returned about eight hours later and unlocked the door, at which point they found a woman having sex with a man who fled, prosecutors said. The case also describes the alleged theft and physical contact during that second encounter.
McMillan, 26, of Long Island, allegedly stole about $200 from the woman’s purse and groped her while Colon, 24, of Queens, kept watch, prosecutors said. The woman ran away and eventually called 911, prosecutors said, while the officers returned to their station house without reporting the incident.
The federal charges came after the earlier state case was dismissed. McMillan and Colon were initially charged in state court last March with burglary, forcible touching and official misconduct, prosecutors said. A judge dismissed the case and sealed the prosecution in December after the Queens District Attorney’s office failed to meet the court’s speedy trial rules.
Both men pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in Brooklyn federal court and were released on their own recognizance, prosecutors said. They are scheduled to return to court April 16.
Police said both men were suspended after their arrests and have since resigned from the department. Colon’s lawyer declined to comment, while McMillan’s lawyer did not respond to emails seeking comment, prosecutors said.