Upstate New York Border Agent Imprisoned for Ordering Women to Strip During Immigration Screening

A former U.S. Border Patrol agent has been sentenced to one year in federal prison after admitting to coercing women seeking entry into the United States to expose their breasts during virtual immigration processing.

Prosecutors said 53-year-old Shane Millan, based in Jefferson County, New York, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty in March to federal misdemeanor charges. Millan acknowledged he directed three women attempting to cross the southern border in 2023 to lift their shirts during videoconference interviews.

A fourth woman was told to expose herself while keeping her bra on. He pleaded guilty to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.

Although assigned to an Upstate New York post, Millan was tasked with handling border entries remotely through video technology at the time of the incidents.

Authorities said he falsely told the women that the instructions were part of the inspection process required for admission to the U.S. In reality, the demands were for his personal gratification.

Court filings show that Millan told two women he needed to inspect tattoos and even used his work computer to look up Spanish phrases, including, “I will also need you to lift your bra, please.”

“Everybody deserves respect, and we will not tolerate the sexual exploitation of immigrants by members of law enforcement. Nobody is above the law,” acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone said in a statement.

Upstate New York Border Agent Imprisoned for Ordering Women to Show Breasts