'The situation with Nikita... is extremely disturbing and dangerous'
Transgender influencer Nikita Dragun has been arrested and placed in a men’s jail in a move that has alarmed her management and fans.
The vlogger and makeup artist, whose real name is Nikita Nguyen, was arrested on November 7 following a disturbance at a Miami beach hotel.
The 26-year-old, who has 9 million Instagram followers and 3.5 million YouTube subscribers, was allegedly arrested on a felony charge of battery on a police officer on November 7. She had earlier, allegedly, caused a disturbance for a long period of time by walking around a hotel’s swimming pool area naked.
According to the police report, obtained by
TMZ, when Dragun answered her hotel room door she allegedly swung an open water bottle, causing water to hit and spill on both a security guard and an officer, resulting in her arrest.
Dragun made her name as a YouTuber in 2014 by sharing beauty tips with her followers then, as she transitioned from male to female, took her fans along for the ride, documenting the entire process.
Dragun's rep, Jack Ketsoyan, told 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."
He said the 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".
Since her arrest was made public, a video has gone viral in which Dragun says she has been placed in a men’s unit at Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
She asks Judge Mindy Glazer: “Can I ask one question? Do I have to stay in the men’s unit still?”
To which someone responds: “Yeah, I don’t make the rules [there] but [it’s] proper accommodation for you.”
https://twitter.com/itssamanthaaaa_/status/1590293781223723009
Fans have since expressed their concern over Dragun’s welfare.
One tweeted: “I’m not a fan of Nikita Dragun nor am I defending her actions in any shape or form but when she was put into jail and forced to stay in a men’s unit, that’s heartbreaking and dangerous.
“Trans Women are Women.”
Another added: “I’m not the biggest fan of Nikita Dragun however her being put in the MEN’s unit in the prison when she is a woman is completely out of control and needs to be fixed asap.
“No matter your thoughts on her that’s such an unsafe environment for her and such a disrespect for trans people.”
Others have shared their concerns on TikTok. One wrote: “Praying for her safety, THIS IS NOT OKAY. America needs CHANGE NOW.”
“I’m really scared for her. I do hope she’s okay,” added another.
Dragun's rep has since said his client has been released after being placed on a $5,000 (£4,389) bond.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckll7_2uiaR/
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