McAllen, Texas – A U.S. Border Patrol agent in upstate New York is facing charges for allegedly violating women’s constitutional rights by forcing them to expose their chests during virtual processing to enter the U.S. Shane Millan, 53, was arraigned in Syracuse on Thursday, accused of four counts of a misdemeanor, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Millan demanded that several women seeking admission into the U.S. undress and reveal their bare chests over webcam, under the false pretense that it was part of the protocol. The incidents occurred on three separate occasions, with one woman managing to keep her bra on during the ordeal.
The alleged misconduct by the border patrol agent took place in Jefferson County, situated near the Canadian border, as well as in other locations not specified in the charging documents. Millan’s actions were denounced as a violation of the victims’ rights and solely for his own satisfaction, highlighting the abuse of power.
Neither Millan’s attorney nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection immediately responded to requests for comments. However, in a statement to CNN, CBP emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct within its ranks, affirming that any allegations are immediately investigated and cooperation is provided for criminal or administrative inquiries.
A jury trial is scheduled for October 21, according to court records, as the legal proceedings against Millan continue. The case underscores the importance of upholding individuals’ rights and addressing any abuse of authority within law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in such matters.