NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two NYPD officers were indicted for allegedly stealing money from a Queens sex worker and groping her while responding to an official report of prostitution, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday.
Justin McMillan, 27, and Justin Colon, 24, were serving northern Queens in the 115h Precinct at the time of the alleged crimes last summer. They have been indicted on charges of burglary, forcible touching, official misconduct and other crimes.
On July 19, 2024, the officers responded to a 311 call reporting active prostitution inside a residential building on 89th Street.
Upon arrival, the officers stated “I don’t see anything” before shutting off their body-worn cameras, but lingered around the building. They soon spotted a woman exiting the building from a side door, ushered her inside and dumped her personal bag on the floor to find a key to the locked interior door, prosecutors said.
The woman ran out of the building and the officers proceeded with their foot patrol without reporting the incident. They instead returned eight hours later used the key to enter the premises, the charges allege.
Once inside, the officers discovered a woman engaging in prostitution with a man. He immediately left, and McMillan allegedly stole money from the sex worker’s purse before groping her breast and buttock.
The survivor ran out of the location and, with the help of others, called 911. This call launched the start of an investigation by the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau.
The officers returned to the precinct stationhouse without reporting any of what occurred or filing any paperwork.
“The allegations in this case are an affront to the shield worn by the countless police officers who serve and protect the residents of this city,” Katz said. “I thank the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for their crucial assistance in bringing charges against the two defendants, of whom are now indicted and face justice in our courts.”
McMillan and Colon had both been assigned to the 115th Precinct for under a year before the incident, and were placed on modified duty in August 2024, after the start of the investigation. They surrendered themselves to the IAB’s Sexual Assault Investigation Unit on Monday and are now suspended from the force.
“Wearing the uniform of a New York City Police Officer is one of the highest privileges in law enforcement, and the legitimacy of that work is based on the public’s trust. So when that trust is broken, as it was in this case, the entire police department must answer for it,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “We hold our officers to the highest standard of professionalism and integrity, and failing to meet that standard is disqualifying.”
McMillan and Colon both pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday and were released on their own recognizance, court records show. They are expected back in court on April 28.