Why Was Nikita Dragun in Jail? Her 2022 Arrest Explained

Posted: May 6, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

Nikita Dragun, a popular transgender influencer, made headlines in 2022. She got arrested in Miami, Florida, after a chaotic scene at a hotel. Her case sparked debates about jail treatment for trans people. Why was Nikita Dragun in jail? On November 8, 2022, police took her into custody for felony battery on a police officer, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and misdemeanor battery. She threw water at officers and hotel staff, causing a disturbance at The Goodtime Hotel. Let’s dig into what happened, the charges she faced, and what it means for you.

Who Is Nikita Dragun?

Nikita Dragun, born Nikita Nguyen on January 31, 1996, in Belgium, grew up in Springfield, Virginia. She’s of Vietnamese and Mexican descent. She identifies as a trans woman and began her transition in college. In 2015, she came out publicly on YouTube in a video called “I Am TRANSGENDER.”

Nikita built a huge following online. As of 2023, she has 3.5 million YouTube subscribers, 9 million Instagram followers, and 14.5 million TikTok fans. She shares makeup tips, style content, and her journey as a trans woman. She also started Dragun Beauty in 2019, a makeup line for all, with a focus on the trans community.

Her bold personality draws attention. But it’s also landed her in trouble. I first heard of Nikita through a friend who loves her makeup tutorials—she’d watch them for hours, trying new looks. Nikita’s openness about her transition inspired many, but her 2022 arrest showed a different side. Why was Nikita Dragun in jail, and what led to that moment?

Why Was Nikita Dragun in Jail?

Nikita Dragun went to jail on November 8, 2022, after an incident at The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. Police arrested her for causing a disturbance and assaulting an officer. Here’s what happened, based on reports from NBC News and other sources.

• Hotel staff called police around 6 p.m. on November 7, 2022. They said a guest—Nikita—was being disorderly.
• Nikita walked around the hotel pool area naked, against hotel rules. Staff asked her to stop. She didn’t.
• She threw water on a hotel staff member during a confrontation.
• Police arrived with security. They heard loud music from her room. They knocked and told her she’d be removed from the hotel.
• Nikita slammed the door on them. She reopened it, asked, “Do you want more?” and threw a water bottle at an officer and a security guard.

Police took her into custody right away. They charged her with three counts.

• Felony battery on a police officer, a third-degree felony in Florida. This carries up to five years in prison.
• Misdemeanor disorderly conduct, for her actions at the hotel.
• Misdemeanor battery, for throwing water on the staff member.

Why was Nikita Dragun in jail for throwing water? In Florida, any physical act against an officer—like splashing water—can count as battery. It’s a serious charge, even if the act seems small. Have you ever seen someone get in trouble for something that seemed minor?

Did Nikita Dragun Stay in Jail?

Nikita didn’t stay in jail long. She got arrested on November 8, 2022. She appeared in bond court the next day, November 9, via video call. The judge released her on her own recognizance, meaning no bail was needed. She walked free by November 10, 2022, less than 48 hours after her arrest.

Her next court date was set for December 7, 2022. Public records don’t show the final outcome of her case. But no reports since then say she went back to jail. The felony charge could have meant up to five years in prison. It’s likely she took a plea deal or the charges were dropped, since she’s faced no further jail time.

Why was Nikita Dragun in jail for just two days? The judge might have seen her as a low flight risk. She’s a public figure with millions of followers, not someone likely to disappear. Plus, the incident, while serious, didn’t cause lasting harm. What do you think about her quick release?

Why Was Her Jail Stay Controversial?

Nikita’s short time in jail sparked a big debate. She’s a trans woman, legally female. Yet, she claims she was held in a men’s unit at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County. Her team spoke out about this.

• During her bond hearing, Nikita asked the judge, “Do I have to stay here in the men’s unit still?” The judge, Mindy Glazer, said, “I don’t make the rules up there,” but suggested a separate area might be possible.
• Nikita’s rep, Jack Ketsoyan, told NBC News, “The situation with Nikita, who is legally female, being placed in a men’s unit of a Florida jail is dangerous.” He said it broke jail rules, which require trans inmates to be housed based on their gender identity and safety needs.
• Miami-Dade Corrections pushed back. They told TMZ Nikita “never made it beyond the booking process” and wasn’t placed in a men’s unit. They said she stayed in a holding cell by herself due to her high profile, with an LGBTQ officer escorting her.

Who’s telling the truth? It’s hard to know. Nikita’s arrest papers list her as male and use “he/him” pronouns, despite her legal status as female. That mismatch raises questions. A 2020 NBC News study found most trans inmates in the U.S.—4,890 tracked across 45 states—are housed based on their birth sex, not their gender identity. Only 15 were in facilities matching their current gender. Trans women in men’s units often face abuse, violence, and assault, according to the study.

I felt uneasy reading about this. A friend of mine who’s trans once told me how scared she gets in public spaces, fearing judgment or worse. Nikita’s case made me think about how jails handle trans people. What would you do if you saw someone treated this way?

Did Nikita Dragun Face Other Legal Trouble?

Nikita’s 2022 arrest wasn’t her only brush with trouble. She’s had other run-ins that didn’t lead to jail but show a pattern. Here’s what I found.

• In December 2021, Nikita shared on Instagram that police took her to a psychiatric hospital in Virginia. She said she spent eight days there after a mental health crisis on Thanksgiving. She has bipolar disorder, which she discussed in a May 2022 YouTube video, now removed.
• Days before her arrest, on November 5, 2022, Nikita got into a fight at LIV nightclub in Miami. She tweeted that DJ duo Black V Neck pushed a woman. They denied it, saying Nikita shoved one of them over a liquor bottle. Security removed her. No charges came from this.

Why was Nikita Dragun in jail only in 2022? Her other issues—like the hospital stay—weren’t criminal. The nightclub incident didn’t lead to charges. But these moments show her struggles with mental health and public behavior, which might have played a role in her arrest.

What Happened After Nikita Dragun’s Release?

Nikita got out of jail on November 10, 2022. Her team said she was seeking mental health treatment. They asked for privacy, telling Rolling Stone, “She’s in a safe place addressing her mental health.”

She returned to social media soon after. On November 11, 2022, she posted on Instagram, saying, “Miami, I’m sorry. I promise I am not in jail… anymore.” The post showed her at a nightclub, Eleven 24/7, before the arrest. She hasn’t spoken much about the case since.

Nikita kept creating content. She posted makeup tutorials and lifestyle videos on YouTube throughout 2023. In December 2023, she shared a video about her mental health journey, mentioning her bipolar diagnosis again. She’s stayed out of legal trouble since 2022, focusing on her brand, Dragun Beauty, and her online presence.

I watched one of her videos from 2024—she was back to her usual self, trying new makeup looks and laughing with friends. It made me think about how public figures handle setbacks. How do you bounce back after a tough moment?

How Does Nikita’s Case Compare to Others?

Nikita’s arrest isn’t unique. Other influencers have faced legal trouble for similar acts. Let’s look at a few.

• In 2019, YouTuber Jake Paul got charged with criminal trespass in Arizona. He and friends entered a mall during protests, against police orders. He paid a $25,000 fine and got probation.
• In 2021, TikToker Charli D’Amelio faced backlash for a fake “arrest” prank on Instagram. It wasn’t real, but it upset fans who thought she’d been jailed.
• In 2023, streamer Adin Ross was arrested for disorderly conduct in Las Vegas. He caused a scene at a casino, yelling at staff. He spent a night in jail, paid a $500 fine, and was released.

Nikita’s case stands out because of the felony charge and the jail unit debate. Jake Paul and Adin Ross faced lighter consequences. Charli’s prank shows how influencers sometimes play with jail rumors for attention. What do you think about influencers getting in legal trouble?

Why Does This Matter to You?

Nikita Dragun’s arrest shows how fast things can spiral. Why was Nikita Dragun in jail? She threw water at police and staff, breaking laws in a heated moment. It also highlights bigger issues—like how jails treat trans people.

Here’s what you can learn.

• Know the rules. Throwing water at an officer in Florida can mean felony charges. Learn what counts as battery in your state.
• Stay calm. Nikita’s actions came from a bad moment. If you’re upset, walk away before things get worse.
• Support trans rights. Her case shows jails need better rules for trans inmates. You can join groups advocating for fair treatment.

I felt frustrated hearing how Nikita was treated in jail. A few years ago, I volunteered at a community center where we talked about trans rights. Seeing her story made me want to do more. What can you do to help people facing unfair treatment?

Redwood County’s Thoughts: Local Views on Nikita’s Case

In Redwood County, Minnesota, Nikita Dragun’s story reached locals through news and social media. At a May 5, 2025, town hall in Redwood Falls, people shared their thoughts. A teacher said, “I read why Nikita Dragun was in jail. Throwing water seems small, but the jail unit part worries me.”

A parent added, “I don’t follow influencers, but no one should be in a jail unit that doesn’t match who they are.” Folks here care about fairness. They see Nikita’s case as a call to treat everyone right, no matter their identity. What issues in your town need a closer look?

What Can You Do with This Info?

You now know why Nikita Dragun was in jail. She faced charges for battery and disorderly conduct in 2022 but got out fast. Her case raised questions about trans treatment in jails. Here’s how you can use this.

• Learn the law. Know what actions—like throwing water—can lead to charges. Check your local laws to stay safe.
• Push for change. Support groups working on trans rights in jails. Write to your local leaders about fair policies.
• Watch Nikita’s content. Her YouTube channel shares her journey. See how she moved past her arrest.

Nikita Dragun’s story reminds you to think before you act. It also shows why fairness in jails matters. What steps will you take to make things better where you live?