RuPaul's Drag Race winner Tyra Sanchez arrested for allegedly resisting police officer in Florida
RuPaul's Drag Race season 2 winner Tyra Sanchez — also known as the artist James Ross and King Tyra — was arrested in May after allegedly resisting a police officer in Starke, Fla.
According to a police report provided to EW by local police on Monday, Tyra, whose real name is James William Ross, was arrested on May 17 at 5:26 p.m. ET, after reporting officer Jay Raulerson responded to a minor vehicle crash.
The partially-redacted report does not provide further details on the interaction, but indicated that the 35-year-old was charged with resisting an officer without violence and simple assault on an officer, and was later taken to the Bradford County Jail.
Logo 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 2 winner Tyra Sanchez
Sasha Shreiner, Starke PD Supervisor of Records, told EW that the "incident is still under investigation" and "no further" information can be released on the matter.
In response to a request for comment from Ross, EW was provided a copy of a citizens complaint that the entertainer filed against the arresting officer, citing "excessive use of force, unlawful arrest and falsifying legal documents (police report and accident report)," according to the signed document dated May 23.
In the complaint, Ross says he was the one to contact police after being rear-ended in a hit and run. He states that things escalated after he declined to get out of his car right away to answer questions and the officer grew impatient. Ross alleges in the document that after a profanity-filled verbal exchange between the two of them, the officer responded by taking out a taser and saying "You're going to jail," to which he says he replied, "For what? I haven't done anything wrong! And if you tase me with that taser I am going to sue the f— out of you!"
Ross' complaint continues: "Officer Jay Raulerson then states, 'Oh you're gonna shoot me?' In which I replied, 'You know damn well I said sue you, s-u-e. And if you tase me with that f—in' taser I am going to sue the f— out of you!'"
Ummm. I’m not in jail. I actually just woke up after exhaustion from my trip to Boston where I attended my son’s high school graduation. You can stop with the rumors and speculation. Standby while I sue @StarkePoliceDep pic.twitter.com/qQPJWrYKRj
— James Ross (@creatoriv) June 10, 2023
The performer alleges he was thrown to the ground and tased, before running away due to fear for his life. He also refuted a number of things he claims were in the unredacted police report, including that he was asked to calm down, that he was violent and uncooperative, and that he suffered no injuries.
In a statement shared to Twitter Saturday after news of the arrest first surfaced, Ross said that he was "not in jail" and threatened to sue the local police department.
"I actually just woke up after exhaustion from my trip to Boston where I attended my son's high school graduation," Ross tweeted. "You can stop with the rumors and speculation. Standby while I sue [Starke Police Department]."
As his drag persona — which he initially retired in March 2020 — Ross won Drag Race season 2 in 2010, beating out other notable competitors like Raven, Jujubee, and current All Stars 8 competitor Jessica Wild. Since then, the entertainer has become a polarizing figure in the Drag Race fandom, with some criticizing Ross for being banned from DragCon for making allegedly threatening posts ahead of the 2018 event — even though Sanchez later apologized for his behavior in 2019.
James Ross/Twitter 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 2 winner Tyra Sanchez is coming out of retirement.
In January 2023, ahead of his Club Tyra tour, Ross announced that he would un-retire Sanchez before hitting the road.
"Club Tyra is an ultimate night of glamor dedicated to reintroducing you (the fans) to drag superstar Tyra Sanchez. Although I believe King Tyra is fabulous in every way imaginable, I know she is truly misunderstood, so I'm putting Tyra up close, face to face with you (our party guests) to allow you to know Tyra a little better," Ross wrote on social media. "Club Tyra is presented by me... James Ross, the creator of Tyra Sanchez and the star of the show! As I transform into Tyra, my team transforms each venue into Club Tyra's pink poppin' experience. We have partnered with the most trendiest venues to bring the experience directly to you. In addition, we have casted some of the best in female illusion to enhance your experience for one night of fun!"
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