Nikita Dragun, a famous trans influencer and model, was put in a men’s prison after being arrested at a hotel in Miami.
She was detained after police were called to the Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach following reports of disorderly conduct.
The arrest affidavit, as reported by NBC News, said the famous YouTuber was allegedly “causing a disturbance and being extremely disorderly,” including “walking around the pool area unclothed.”
Dragun has since been charged with one count of felony battery, disorderly conduct and misdemeanour battery, according to Rolling Stone.
After her arrest, she was placed into a men’s jail and listed as male on her booking paperwork – despite being legally female and identifying as such.
“The situation with Nikita, who is legally female, being placed in a men’s unit of a Florida jail is extremely disturbing and dangerous,”a representative of Dragun’s told Rolling Stone.
“This decision made by the Miami-Dade County Corrections Department directly violates their protocol, which mandates that transgender inmates are classified and housed based on safety needs and gender identity.”
In a video of her hearing, Dragun can be heard asking if she has to stay “in the men’s unit” before being told by Judge Mindy Glazer that she “didn’t make the rules”.
Judge Glazer did, however, assure her that accommodations would be made for Dragun – though whether or not this happened remains unclear.
The star has since been released and is safe, according to the aforementioned spokesperson.
“Thank you for respecting her privacy during this time,” they added.
Trans inmates being housed in facilities that do not align with their gender identity can often result in them being at higher risk of physical violence and/or targeted harassment, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have continuously stated.
Florida law currently states that trans prisoners can be placed in gender-specific jails on a case-by-case basis.
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