NEW YORK (AP) — Two New York City police officers have been suspended after being accused of burglary and inappropriate contact with a sex worker during a response to a complaint about an illicit brothel, prosecutors announced on Monday. Officers Justin McMillan and Justin Colon allegedly disabled their body cameras when they unlawfully entered a residential building, stole money, and had inappropriate contact with a woman while on duty last July, as per Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. The patrol officers, who were still on probation after graduating from the police academy in 2023, were reportedly investigating reports of prostitution within the building at the time. The prosecutors claim that the officers turned off their body cameras before interacting with a woman leaving the building, took a key to the residence from her, and returned later to find a woman engaging in intimate activity with a man, who fled upon their arrival. McMillan then allegedly took money from the woman’s purse and made unwanted physical contact with her. The woman managed to escape and, with the help of others, contacted 911. The officers, however, allegedly failed to report the incidents and returned to their stationhouse. McMillan, 27, from Long Island, and Colon, 24, from Queens, pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Queens on Monday and were released pending their next court appearance on April 28. They are each facing charges including forcible touching, petit larceny, burglary, and official misconduct. Attorneys for the officers have yet to respond to requests for comment. Both officers have been suspended without pay since last August when the NYPD’s internal affairs bureau and Katz’s office launched an investigation. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated, “We hold our officers to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, and any violation will be thoroughly investigated and the responsible parties held accountable. This expectation will remain unwavering.”
