NEW YORK (AP) — Two former New York City police officers who stole keys to a brothel and then robbed and molested a sex worker are facing federal charges after their initial state charges were dismissed on a technicality, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced that former patrol officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon were indicted on Tuesday on charges of conspiracy to violate rights and willful deprivation of an individual’s constitutional rights in connection with the July 2024 incident.
Prosecutors said the two were responding to a report of prostitution at a Queens building when they turned off their body cameras, approached a woman leaving the building, took the keys to her residence from her hand and removed cash from her purse.
Eight hours later, police returned, opened the door and found a woman having sex with a man, who immediately ran away, prosecutors said.
McMillan, 26, of Long Island, then stole approximately $200 from the woman’s purse and fondled her while Colon, 24, of Queens, watched.
Prosecutors said the woman ran away and eventually called 911. Meanwhile, officers returned to their station but did not report the incident.
McMillan and Colon were initially charged in state court last March with burglary, forcible touching and official misconduct, but a judge dismissed the case and terminated the prosecution in December after the Queens District Attorney’s Office failed to meet the court’s speedy trial rules.
Police said both men were suspended following their arrests and have resigned from the department. They are scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday in Brooklyn federal court. Their attorneys did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
