Transgender influencer Nikita Dragun was arrested at a hotel Monday night and alleges spending time while in police custody in an all-male cell — a claim that the corrections facility denies.
Dragun appeared in court and requested to be transferred telling the judge about being kept in a men’s unit. The judge reportedly said was between Dragun and the representatives of the jail, according to TMZ. “The situation with Nikita, who is legally female, being placed in a men’s unit of a Florida jail is extremely disturbing and dangerous,” Jack Ketsoyan of Full Scope Public Relations said in a statement to Page Six. Miami-Dade Corrections representatives deny the allegations. Inmate Dragun never made it beyond the booking process prior to release; therefore, she was never placed in a men’s unit,” they said, according to TMZ.
#UPDATE: A rep for Miami-Dade Corrections tells TMZ … “Inmate Dragun never made it beyond the booking process prior to release; therefore, she was never placed in a men’s unit.” Read the full statement, here: https://t.co/cOXQ9jZ5xt
— TMZ (@TMZ) November 10, 2022
Ketsoyan confirmed that since being released, Dragun maintains the initial allegation of being inappropriately placed in the men’s unit while in custody.
“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,” Ketsoyan said according to TMZ.
Miami-Dade Corrections representatives pushed back on allegations of discrimination. “All inmates undergoing our intake process remain in an open seating (open booking) area, in the presence of correctional staff,” they said, according to TMZ. “Additionally, inmate Dragun was placed in a holding cell by herself due to her high-profile status before being released, and she was escorted by an LGBTQ officer during her time at the corrections facility,” they said. (RELATED: Fans Call For Boycott After Ulta Beauty’s Failed Transgender Podcast Ad)
Nikita Dragun is being kept in a men’s unit after being arrested in Florida. While she’s most likely in protective custody, it’s concerning that Florida jails have such poor protocols to deal with trans folks. Also the judge’s lack of empathy is outrageous pic.twitter.com/mDiR6p3nuT
— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) November 9, 2022
Hotel staff reportedly called police after seeing Dragun, whose real name is Nikita Nguyen, walking naked by the pool on their property. They allege the influencer proceeded to throw water at hotel staff. Police located Dragun in one of the hotel’s rooms. After a verbal exchange, the influencer reportedly through water at a police officer.