DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A Texas woman who was briefly arrested for "shouting" in public during a verbal altercation with a Dubai car rental company is ensnared in the United Arab Emirates, a London-based organization that is trying to get her out of the country informed CBS News.
Tierra Young Allen, a 29-year-old social media influencer, who is known to her fans as Sassy Trucker was apprehended on May 16 and was released the following day. However, her passport has been confiscated by the authorities which unfortunately prevented her from leaving the UAE.
Who is Tierra Young Allen?
Tierra Young Allen, also known to many as Sassy Trucker was arrested in May following an argument with a male employee of a car rental company in Dubai who was trying to harass her for paying thousands of dollars she didn't owe, said Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai, the international nonprofit organization who is trying to free her.
"She was told at the police station (Bur Dubai) that she has been accused of 'shouting,' which under the UAE's laws is illegal under 'offensive behavior,' which is an unclear and subjective regulation, but warrants up to two years in prison, a fine and deportation," Stirling told the outlet. She added that the US Embassy in Dubai, which had undergone a staffing change just last week, did not provide Allen with any assistance as of Thursday, July 20.
The US Department of State is aware of Allen's state
According to a spokesperson for the US Department of State, they are well aware Allen was "unable to depart Dubai" and that it was "providing all appropriate assistance." "The Department remains in regular communication with her and her family," the spokesperson said, adding that it would continue to monitor her case closely.
Allen reportedly contacted the office of Texas US Senate Ted Cruz directly and his office confirmed the outlet that representatives had communicated with the woman's family and "contacted the Department of State about the case." Stirling said Allen's mother, Tina Baxton, had also contacted Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas' 18th congressional district who is keeping track of the incident.
"We have advised their offices how governmental representatives are best able to help in these situations and hope for her speedy return home," Stirling, who is also a lawyer specializing in Middle East legal matters, said.
What happened to the driver?
The victim was not allowed to take her belongings back from the rental vehicle and later noticed that several false charges were attempted on her credit cards, Stirling said. The man who worked at the rental agency has fled to Pakistan after filing his police report, said Stirling.
As per the reports of Arabic Media, the rental agency had offered to drop its case against Allen if she pays $5,700. "Tierra is the latest American tourist to get caught up in what is a common rental car extortion scheme," Stirling said. "Rental car agencies are notorious for opening criminal cases against visitors with the promise to drop the case if they are paid off. The prevalence of blackmail is damaging to the UAE's tourism and investment sectors and Dubai's government needs to crack down on this abuse of process."
"In another recent case, three Americans actually paid over $20,000 to a rental car agency that they did not owe, just so they could get out of the country," the lawyer added. She said Allen and her mother were becoming increasingly anxious and "have been going through hell and have no idea what the outcome will be, and when they might be reunited."
