Nikita Dragun Says She Was Placed In Men's Unit Of Jail, Jail Denies Claim
Nikita Dragun Says She Was Locked Up In Men's Jail After Arrest ... Jail Denies Her Claim
9:07 AM PT -- 11/10 -- A rep for Miami-Dade Corrections tells TMZ ... "Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (MDCR) is committed to protecting the rights of the transgender community and of all LGBTQ people. MDCR has procedures in place for the appropriate intake, housing, and medical needs of transgender inmates, and we are committed to ensuring that all inmates in our custody, including transgender persons, are treated appropriately throughout our intake, classification and placement process."
"Inmate Dragun never made it beyond the booking process prior to release; therefore, she was never placed in a men’s unit. All inmates undergoing our intake process remain in an open seating (open booking) area, in the presence of correctional staff. 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."
When Nikita appeared in court earlier this week, she told the judge she was being kept in a men's unit and asked to be transferred. The judge told her that was between her and the jail.
Nikita Dragun was forced into the men's unit of the local jail after Monday's arrest in Florida, a decision her rep says could've been a recipe for disaster.
Nikita's rep, Jack Ketsoyan, tells 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."
Ketsoyan continues, "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."
As we reported, the transgender influencer was arrested this week on a felony charge of battery on a police officer ... after allegedly causing a disturbance for a long period of time, walking around the pool area naked.
According to the police report, obtained by TMZ ... when Nikita finally 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.
Nikita's rep adds she's since been released after being placed on a $5,000 bond. We've reached out to Miami-Dade County's Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center ... so far, no word back.
Originally Published -- 11/9 1:30 PM PT