Katherine Nicole "Katie" Rees (born August 11, 1984) is an American former beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Nevada USA 2007. She was to compete in the Miss USA 2007 pageant, but was dethroned in December 2006 following the release of sexually charged pictures of her taken at a Florida nightclub three years prior.

Katie Rees
Born
Katherine Nicole Rees

(1984-08-11) August 11, 1984 (age 40)
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss Nevada USA 2007 (Dethroned)
Hair colorBlonde
Eye colorBlue
Major
competition(s)
Miss Nevada USA 2007
(Winner; dethroned)

Miss Nevada USA

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Rees won the title of Miss Nevada USA 2007 on her first try in a state pageant held in Las Vegas on October 8, 2006. She was crowned by outgoing titleholder Lauren Scyphers. Her "sister" titleholder, Miss Nevada Teen USA 2007, was Danielle Hashimoto.

Pageant scandal

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On December 20, 2006, allegations of Rees exhibiting lewd behaviour in a Florida nightclub, three years prior while away at college, were made, and several photographs of Rees, kissing other women, and simulating sexual acts were released to the media.[1] This followed a scandal involving Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, in which news reports claimed Conner had been drinking underage, using illegal substances and photos of her kissing Miss Teen USA; Conner was sent to rehab and allowed to retain her title.[2]

On December 21, 2006, Rees was stripped of her crown by the Miss Universe Organization[2] with the approval of pageant co-owner Donald Trump. She was succeeded by pageant first runner-up Helen Salas, who represented Nevada in the Miss USA 2007 pageant in March placing in the final five.

Life after Miss Nevada USA

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On January 27, 2007, Celebrity Web Site TMZ.com published one of the sets of photos that got Rees in trouble with the Miss Universe Organization.[3]

On August 6, 2007, Rees appeared on the television show Dr. Phil on an episode entitled "Caught in the Act."[4]

On February 6, 2008, Rees was arrested for resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting a police officer after a traffic stop at 3:00 a.m. in Las Vegas.

On September 20, 2009, Rees featured on the Australian television show, Border Security: Australia's Front Line. During the programme, she was shown being questioned by Customs Officers at Sydney airport after swabs of her bag and laptop gave positive readings for cocaine and/or methamphetamine, and she was unable to give the full name of her traveling companion/friend. No drugs were found and the officers were able to verify the story with her traveling companion/friend. She was later cleared to enter the country. In describing the event, the Customs officer stated that they, "went and spoke to [Rees'] travelling companion. Their stories were similar, but not textbook rehearsed, so what she was saying added up. Even though - to me - it seemed bizarre, the world's a funny place. People do unusual things and that doesn't always mean they're drug couriers, but it was certainly something that had to be investigated thoroughly. And we did and she's gone now, on her way". Speaking to the camera crew outside in the arrivals hall, Rees said "I think I almost just peed my pants, to be honest with you. I'm shocked! I'm from Las Vegas, so you never know what the heck's going to be around out there! And thank gosh I don't have anything on me because I don't do any sort of illegal activity - but Las Vegas apparently does".[5]

On September 22, 2014, Rees was caught selling methamphetamines and a month later she was found with 5.3 grams of methamphetamines in her possession.

On June 8, 2015, a warrant was issued for her arrest. Rees was charged with four felonies. They include trafficking in a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, and two counts of conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substances act. The criminal complaint filed stated that she conspired with "unknown co-conspirators."[6]

Rees was arrested again Tuesday (Sept. 1, 2015) after her boyfriend of 10-months, Kevin “DJ Kulprit” Sims, was pulled over by Las Vegas Police for allegedly speeding and failing to signal when changing lanes.[7] Rees was charged with five drug counts, including felony possession of methamphetamine. Officers found rolling papers, two smoking pipes and a canister containing what police believed to be marijuana in a bag that she said was hers. They also found Xanax and Oxycontin as well as a substance that tested positive for meth.[8]

References

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  1. ^ Kennedy, John (December 20, 2006). "Miss USA rocked by sexy new scandal: Pageant contestant Katie Rees shows off her wild side". Canada.com. CanWest Global Communications. Retrieved December 20, 2006.
  2. ^ a b "Racy pics cost Miss Nevada USA her crown". CNN. Associated Press. December 21, 2006. Archived from the original on January 14, 2007. Retrieved January 17, 2007.
  3. ^ "Miss Nevada". TMZ.com. January 27, 2007. Archived from the original on January 26, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
  4. ^ "Dr. Phil.com - Shows - Caught in the Act". August 3, 2007. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
  5. ^ "Series 7, Episode 2". Border Security. Season 7. Episode 2. September 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Ferraralas, David (July 8, 2015). "Former Nevada beauty queen faces meth charges | Las Vegas Review-Journal". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  7. ^ "Katie Rees, Ex-Miss Nevada, Still Hasn't Tamed Naughty Girl Streak (photos!)". Theimproper.com. September 4, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  8. ^ "Former Nevada beauty queen arrested again on meth counts - Las Vegas Sun News". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Lauren Scyphers
Miss Nevada USA
2007
(dethroned)
Succeeded by
Helen Salas