A federal indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn on Mar. 10 charging two former New York City Police Department officers, Justin McMillan and Justin Colon, with conspiracy against rights and willfully depriving an individual of her constitutional rights during a July 2024 incident in the 115th Precinct in Queens. The defendants were arrested and are scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to uphold law enforcement integrity and protect civil rights within the community. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts, according to the official website.
According to court documents, McMillan and Colon responded to a non-emergency call about prostitution at a residential building on 89th Street near Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights. They allegedly turned off their body-worn cameras, took a key from a woman exiting the premises without reporting it, and later returned to commit further acts including theft and sexual assault. "As alleged, the defendants’ response to a 311 complaint about prostitution on their beat was to commit multiple criminal acts that shock the conscience and violated the civil rights of a vulnerable victim," said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. "Upholding the integrity of law enforcement and holding accountable those who violate their sworn duty will always be a priority of our Office. These defendants will be vigorously prosecuted because the community and their former colleagues in the NYPD deserve nothing less." Nocella also thanked the Queens District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., said: "Former NYPD officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon allegedly failed to appropriately respond to a non-emergency call and instead used their official authority to commit a series of criminal acts, violating the rights of a vulnerable individual. In doing so, they allegedly betrayed their sworn commitment to serve and abused the power entrusted to them while on duty. While the overwhelming majority of NYPD officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and honor, the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who tarnish the badge." NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch added: "We hold our police officers to the highest standards and have zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind... Any officer who violates their oath will be investigated, exposed, and held fully accountable. That standard will never change." She thanked both Internal Affairs Bureau investigators and federal prosecutors.
If convicted, McMillan (26) from Atlantic Beach, Long Island, and Colon (24) from Long Island City face up to ten years in prison each. The charges remain allegations until proven guilty.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York maintains offices in Brooklyn and Central Islip as reported by its official website; it handles federal crime prosecutions as well as civil matters representation for Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County according to its official website; Breon Peace leads this office as United States Attorney; it operates as the designated federal prosecutor's office for these areas.
