A recent federal lawsuit alleges that law enforcement officers required a Muslim woman to remove her hijab and strip in front of male officers during jail booking procedures, raising questions about religious accommodations in local detention facilities. The complaint was filed by Ivana A. Elliott on March 9, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Sheriff Clark Millsap of the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Jane Doe.
According to court documents, Elliott claims that on April 6, 2025, she was compelled by sheriff’s office personnel to remove her hijab—a headscarf worn as part of her religious observance—during intake at the Bartow County Jail. She states that this occurred despite repeated explanations that appearing uncovered before men outside her family violates her sincerely held beliefs. The complaint details how several male officers surrounded Elliott after she objected to removing her undercap, which fully exposed her hair. Fearing escalation and possible violence, she complied with their demands.
The filing further reports that after complying with orders to remove her head covering, Elliott was placed into a holding cell where officers allegedly threw her to the ground and stripped her naked before male officers while threatening to use a taser if she moved. She remained nude on the floor for approximately five minutes while being watched by male staff members. Afterward, Elliott fashioned a makeshift head covering from spare clothing but was repeatedly forced to remove it throughout her 32-hour detention.
Elliott’s complaint asserts that these actions caused physical injury as well as ongoing psychological harm requiring therapy and medical treatment. It also states that hours after arrival at the jail, staff photographed Elliott without her hijab against her wishes. That photograph remains stored in official databases accessible under Georgia’s Open Records Act and other state statutes. “Being seen without her hijab by men outside her immediate family violates the Plaintiff’s sincerely held religious beliefs,” the filing reads.
The lawsuit argues that forcing Elliott to appear uncovered and retaining such images constitutes an ongoing violation of both the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The complaint maintains that each time these images are accessed or disseminated, it perpetuates injury initiated during Elliott’s initial detention.
Elliott contends there were less restrictive means available for identification purposes—such as photographing detainees with their faces visible while wearing religious head coverings or conducting searches privately with female officers present—that would have accommodated both security needs and religious practices. The suit notes that other government agencies permit head coverings in official identification photos and references similar accommodations made by major law enforcement bodies elsewhere.
In addition to recounting specific events during booking—including denial of access to restroom facilities resulting in humiliation—the lawsuit outlines broader concerns about jail policies regarding religious accommodation. It alleges failures in training, supervision, privacy protocols, and individualized assessment regarding detainee searches involving religious attire.
Elliott is seeking declaratory judgment confirming violations of RLUIPA and First Amendment rights; injunctive relief prohibiting future requirements for Muslim women to remove their hijabs before men absent compelling justification; policy changes at Bartow County Sheriff’s Office mandating respect for requests related to private searches or photographs; removal or permanent sealing of uncovered photographs from public-access systems; compensatory and punitive damages; nominal damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is represented by attorneys Keon N. Grant (Council on American-Islamic Relations — Georgia), Aaron Edward Butler (Council on American-Islamic Relations — Georgia), James M. Slater (Slater Legal PLLC), and Gerald Weber (The Law Offices of Gerry Weber LLC). The case number is 4:26-cv-O0060-WMR.
Source: 426cv00060_Ivana_Elliott_v_Sheriff_Clark_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georiga.pdf
