A man posed as transgender and raped an inmate at Rikers Island jail

A former Rikers Island jail inmate has filed a lawsuit against the city of New York, alleging she was the victim of rape by an inmate posing as a transgender person.

According to the lawsuit, the woman, identified only as Rose Doe, was 21 years old when she was sexually assaulted by a heterosexual man who posed as transgender so he could stay with women.

"His introduction was, 'I'm not transgender. I'm straight. I like women,'" the woman said.

The complaint details that the alleged attacker began the sexual harassment shortly after his arrival and, in a short time, began to perpetrate acts of rape. Doe claims she made repeated complaints to Department of Corrections (DOC) staff but claims she was ignored. In fact, according to the woman, the DOC not only ignored her complaints but also "deliberately ordered the prisoner to claim that he was transgender" to justify his stay in the female dormitory.

The investigation by Doe's attorneys exposes that the alleged attacker was already involved in at least five open Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) claims at the time of the transfer.

In the document presented to the Bronx Supreme Court, Doe is suing both the city and several DOC agents, the acting warden and other officials for negligence and civil rights violations, alleging in her complaint that she was targeted for retaliation by correctional officers, and that Rikers staff breached its duty of care by failing to provide adequate health care.

Likewise, the complaint makes specific mention of correctional officers Jennifer Cruz and Rashida King for allegedly refusing to remove the attacker and preventing Doe from receiving adequate medical care after the attacks.

According to an NBC New York report, jail investigators sent a letter to Doe saying there was "insufficient evidence to make a final determination as to whether or not the event occurred."