Clare Fonstein
Houston Chronicle
A Houston social media influencer, known as “The Sassy Trucker,” took a trip to Dubai in April, but has not been able to return home after being arrested abroad for allegedly screaming.
Tierra Allen has been stuck abroad for months as she awaits possible prosecution.
Who is “The Sassy Trucker”?
Allen is originally from California but lives in Houston, working as a truck driver.
She goes by “The Sassy Trucker” on social media and has gained a following on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for trucker-related content. She posts about her life on the road and has more than 180,000 followers on TikTok.
Allen, now 29-year-old, was interested in trucking from a young age and enrolled in truck driving school when she was 18, according to a CNN article in 2021.
Why was Allen arrested?
Allen said she was vacationing in Dubai when she and a friend got into a crash in a rental car. The car was impounded with Allen’s personal items still inside — her credit cards, debit cards and phone, according to Detained in Dubai, a legal advice resource.
Allen was trying to get back her personal items when she allegedly yelled back at an employee of the rental car business, Allen’s mother, Tina Baxter, told FOX 26. She was subsequently arrested for “screaming.”
Why can’t Allen return to the U.S.?
Due to her arrest, Allen must stay in Dubai while authorities decide if they want to prosecute her, according to Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai.
Stirling has been in contact with both Allen and Baxter and trying to help get Allen back to the U.S.
If Allen is prosecuted, she could face up to two years in prison, deportation and a fine, according to Stirling. Even if Allen is found innocent, the court process could take 6 months or more, Stirling said.
Allen is stuck waiting, without work or travel, until a decision is made of what to do with her.
The case against Allen also could also be dropped if she offers up money, Stirling said, but she was not privy to the amount needed to make the problem go away.
What can you be arrested for in Dubai?
Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates, has laws different from the U.S. that travelers are advised to be aware of in order to avoid any problems with the law.
Certain behaviors deemed offensive can make someone subject to jail or deportation, according to U.K. government travel advice. Swearing and making rude gestures fall into this category.
Kissing in public is also something that can get you arrested, as public displays of affection are not welcomed, Gov.uk posted.
Women were also advised to dress modestly in public, covering the top of their arms and legs. Cross-dressing is also illegal in the UAE.
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