March 11, 2026 QUEENS, NY — They were supposed to be the "New York's Finest," but federal prosecutors say Justin McMillan and Justin Colon were nothing more than common criminals hiding behind a shield.
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the 115th Precinct, these two ex-cops—both still on probation at the time—pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges that read like a script from a gritty crime drama.
The Midnight Raid That Went Wrong
The nightmare began in July 2024. Responding to a routine 311 call about a suspected brothel in Jackson Heights, McMillan (26) and Colon (24) reportedly decided to play by their own rules. According to prosecutors, the pair deliberately shut off their body-worn cameras before stealing a building key from a woman they encountered in the hallway.
They didn't report the interaction. They didn't call it in. Instead, they waited.
Eight hours later, at nearly 5:00 a.m., the duo returned. Using the stolen key, they burst into a room to find a nude woman and a male customer. As the customer fled in terror, the "investigation" turned into a shakedown.
Theft and Terror Behind Closed Doors
The details emerging from the federal indictment are stomach-turning. While Colon allegedly stood watch, McMillan is accused of:
The most damning evidence? Despite their attempt to "go dark" by killing their body cams, surveillance video from outside the building captured the officers entering and the frantic victims fleeing the scene.
A Second Chance at Justice?
If this story sounds familiar, it’s because it almost vanished. The pair originally faced state charges for burglary and forcible touching, but thanks to a legal technicality—the "speedy trial clock" running out—those charges were dismissed in September 2025.
But the Feds aren't letting them walk.
"The evidence is very strong," insisted Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Reid, citing a mountain of video footage, witness testimony, and 911 records. U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. was even more blunt, stating the officers' actions "shock the conscience" and exploited a vulnerable victim.
