SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — Shane Millan, 53, of Jefferson County, New York, was arrested on Monday on four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Vance Kuhner, Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
Millan, a Border Patrol Agent, is accused of violating the constitutional rights of four women during virtual processing sessions related to their admission into the United States. According to the misdemeanor information, Millan allegedly commanded three women to expose their bare chests over a webcam and instructed a fourth woman to expose her breasts while she remained in her bra. These actions were allegedly conducted under the guise of legitimate searches, but the information suggests that Millan’s demands were for his personal gratification.
The incidents are reported to have occurred while Millan was acting under color of law, which refers to actions taken by an individual in their official capacity as a law enforcement officer. The charges highlight the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable searches, which Millan is accused of willfully violating.
Millan was arraigned on Monday before United States Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks in Syracuse and was released pending trial. The charges against him are accusations, and Millan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility Investigative Operations Directorate. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case.